Police are waiting for a psychiatric report on the man who allegedly attacked Progressive Movement leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit at the annual book fair at Queen Sirikit National Convention last week, before they can forward the case to the public prosecutors and court.
Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat, the national police chief, said today (Tuesday) that police have been compiling the numerous cases pending against the suspect at Pathumwan and Lumpini police stations, including the attack on Thanathorn. They will then be presented to the court to determine whether the suspect should detained in secure psychiatric facility.
The suspect has a record of having received psychiatric treatment in the past.
If necessary, he said that the police may seek help from the Public Health Ministry to speed up completion of the psychiatric assessment.
Meanwhile, deputy spokesman for the Office of the Attorney-General, Kosonlavat Intujunyong, told Thai PBS that members of the public have the right to and should notify the police, local administration officials or mental health officials if they come across a person suspected of being mentally unstable and possibly prone to violence, so that they may be admitted to a rehabilitation facility for treatment for the public’s safety.
He also said that family members taking care of a psychiatric patient, or a person with mental disorder, are legally required to ensure that that person does not venture into a public venue unattended or unescorted. Failing to do so may result in criminal civil legal action, if that person commits an act of violence.
