Barkar Nash (Page 987)

CIB suppressing influential figures, gunmen for hire

In the countdown to May 14 election, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) are stepping up efforts to suppress criminal activity, particularly all forms of vote buying and electoral fraud, especially in the South.

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, a commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), has told affiliated agencies to inspect high-risk areas to prevent violent incidents before the poll.

The CIB has prepared the ground in advance by launching crackdowns to force out influential figures and gunmen for hire.

“I give importance on being neutral in politics to ensure transparency. The CIB will not ignore any officers or agencies found to have been involved with such offences,” said Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop.

The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) has been told to suppress gunmen in each area.

CSD commander Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan last Tuesday led more than 80 Hanuman task force officers to raid the bases of the so-called Cabin gang at eight spots in Trang and four spots in Phatthalung.

The CSD acted on six arrest warrants issued by Trang Provincial Court on charges including colluding in premeditated murder and firearms charges.

Of the six men sought, Sarawut Kiatnui and Suriyaporn Chantawong were employers and four others — Athisak Promauksorn, Tawatchai Wankhan, Amnard Sudjarit and Phansak Chantem — were hitmen.

A tip-off suggested the hitmen were about to threaten and eliminate certain political canvassers in the South, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said.

Pol Maj Gen Montree said police learnt of the plot after Sukawit Chantawong, 35, was shot dead in front of his house in tambon Laem Sorm in Trang’s Palian district on Feb 8.

The attack prompted Mr Sarawut, his brother-in-law, and Ms Suriyaporn, younger sister of the dead man, to hire hitmen from the Cabin gang in retribution, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said.

Cabin gang

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said the Cabin gang is a gathering of gunmen and young miscreants. They were based originally in Bang Hua Mon of tambon Nanod in Phatthalung’s Muang district, before relocating to Hat Samran district in Trang and parts of Satun.

The gang would accept various jobs including collecting drug money owed by buyers, and assassinations. Members have been charged with various offences such as murder and drugs.

“This police operation also gets rid of influential figures and hitmen to prevent any impact on the election,” said Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop. “Police have been deployed in each constituency in response to tip-offs about illegal activities, notably in the South.”

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said CIB also paid attention to areas that assassinations have previously occurred, such as one operation where the Hanuman task force caught three gunmen during a local election.

It arrested Noppadon Anthong and his associates for being involved in the murder of the Bang Som Boon tambon administrative organisation chairman in Nakhon Nayok in last April.

“Any kinds of electoral fraud including vote-buying will be watched, while the Anti-Corruption Division has also been instructed to look out for misconduct by state officials,” said Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop.

“Some groups may not be satisfied with the election results which may lead to protests. However, we hope to prevent any untoward incidents with the help of local police.”

Safety centre

Meanwhile, the RTP has set up a safety centre to watch over the election to ensure people will stay in line with law.

Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn Chintakanon, the centre spokesman, said staff will notify people to be beware of violating election laws and educate police about poll laws.

There are six key regulations that people need to be beware of as follows:

Taking ballots outside voting areas carries a potential jail term of up to five years and/or a fine of 20,000 to 100,000 baht, and could result in a ban from voting for 10 years.

Taking a photo of a ballot can bring a jail term of up to one year and/or a fine of up to 20,000 baht.

Demanding or accepting money or assets for votes or to avoid voting carries a potential jail term of up to five years and/or a fine between 20,000 and 100,000 baht, and a ban from voting for 10 years.

Voters who intend to damage ballots could also be given jail time and a ban from voting for 10 years.

Damaging property under Section 358 of Criminal Code carries a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to 60,000 baht.

Removing campaign posters carries a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to 60,000 baht.

Pol Lt Gen Nithithorn also urged people to inform police of any illegal activities via the 191 or 1599 hotlines or Election Commission’s 1444 hotline, as well as local police.

High turnout despite long lines in the sun

Advance voting yesterday prompted a huge turnout nationwide with people eager to exercise their democratic rights after a four-year wait.

According to the Election Commission (EC), 2,235,830 people registered for early voting nationwide yesterday ahead of the kingdom’s May 14 election.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said everything ran smoothly with only minor problems reported at polling stations, such as at Ramkhamhaeng University where some voters fainted due to the hot weather.

Water trucks were brought in to spray water to bring down the temperature in the area, he said.

Mr Chadchart added that more than 40,000 people had been expected to turn up for advance voting at Siam Paragon shopping mall and that process went smoothly due to efficient management.

He said City Hall will ensure ballot boxes are well-kept and guarded, and an online surveillance system has been installed to keep an eye on them.

A total of 52,771 people were registered for early voting at Ramkhamhaeng University, with long lines of people waiting to cast ballots under the blazing sun.

However, one voter, who asked not to be named, said there were not enough officials on duty to handle the large turnout and there had been a long wait.

In Ayutthaya, a total of 41,421 people, mostly workers at industrial factories in the province, as well as residents from the North, Northeast and Bangkok, had registered to attend.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, a total of 44,195 had signed up to vote in 16 constituencies.

More than half, or 22,842, turned up for voting for the first constituency at Central Plaza shopping mall in Muang district.

In Yala, 9,021 were eligible for advance voting both from outside their constituencies and at local polling stations.

Meanwhile, in Khon Kaen, a group of villagers from Muang district filed a petition with the provincial election committee yesteday, accusing a Pheu Thai Party candidate of vote-buying.

The Ban Non Ruang residents were accompanied by Pongsak Songnok, the village headman, and a lawyer, when they submitted the petition to Vachara Seesarn, director of the office of the Khon Kaen election committee.

Photos and video clips of money being handed over to attendees of a speech by a Pheu Thai candidate at a local rally were given to Mr Vachara as evidence.

After the petition was accepted, investigators at the Khon Kaen election office immediately took the group to an investigation room for private questioning. Mr Pongsak said he travelled along to offer moral support.

EC secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee said the EC has received 92 complaints of election law violations, most of which had arisen in Bangkok and involved vote-buying, he said.

Mr Sawaeng said the unusually high number of people who had registered to vote in advance in Yasothon and Amnat Charoen had also raised eyebrows, and the EC is investigating the matter.

He added that ballots cast by overseas voters have already been sent in by 68 Thai consulates, while the other 26 consulates are expected to send ballot boxes in the next 3-5 days.

Mr Sawaeng also said officials at a Nonthaburi advance polling station wrote incorrect details about the constituencies and provinces of voters on parcels of used ballots.

The mistakes were found after about 100 people had cast their votes there.

After learning of the errors, election officials corrected them and there would not be any problems with the vote counts in constituencies and provinces on election day, Mr Sawaeng said.

“I confirm that the used ballots will be sent to their respective constituencies. The incident was the fault of our officials. An investigation will determine if these were honest mistakes,” he said.

Social media users expressed their frustration over the mistakes.

Many people demanded legal action against election commissioners, including their impeachment.

Money used for ‘other purposes’

A former monk, arrested with two others for allegedly embezzling 180 million baht from Wat Pha Dhammakiri in Nakhon Ratchasima during his tenure there, denied the charge during police questioning.

According to Pol Maj Gen Montri Thetkhan, Crime Suppression Division commander, Khom Khongkeaw, formerly known as Phra Ajarn Khom Abhivaro, and his sister said the money was used for “other purposes” and did not intend to embezzle any of it, despite reports saying the funds were transferred to her account.

The two suspects, along with the third — identified as Wutthima, a former Phra Mor — are being held at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), Pol Maj Gen Montri said.

The suspects are expected to face the Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases by today.

Regarding the financial transaction, Pol Maj Gen Montri said progress was slow, as authorities from state agencies asked to assist the investigation were closed during the long holidays.

Pol Maj Gen Montri said more progress on the matter is expected this week, as investigators appointed by the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Clergy are planning to check the temple’s treasury.

Mr Khom, who was a well-known meditation expert, was arrested mid-last week, along with two others, for allegedly embezzling 180 million baht from Wat Pha Dhammakiri, where he was based.

One donation to the temple was allegedly given to Mr Wutthima, a former temple abbot, who then passed it to Mr Khom’s sister.

She is said to have put some of the money into Mr Khom’s bank account while keeping some for herself.

The case is now being handled by the CSD, under the supervision of the Investigation Bureau after the CIG received a report from the National Office of Buddhism regarding the alleged embezzlement.

The suspects are accused of embezzlement and abuse of duty. Mr Khom’s sister is also charged with receiving stolen goods.

Mr Khom is also said to have had a sexual relationship with his followers. He was defrocked on Monday.

Meanwhile, Praiwan “Peary” Wannabut, a former monk who became a social media influencer, commented on Mr Khom’s arrest.

Mr Praiwan said that some well-known monks are unreliable as they can trick their followers for personal benefits.