A Democrat MP for Songkhla province took his son to police to surrender, in response to an arrest warrant issued for his alleged involvement in the assault on a police officer at a municipal polling station in Songkhla province yesterday.
Six of the seven suspects, who are also facing arrest for allegedly attacking Police Senior Sergeant Major Nisathit Kongthep, have already surrendered.
Nisathit was stationed at a polling station in the Pawong sub-district when he attempted to stop the group from taking photographs inside the station.
One member of the group was Somyot’s son, Siradanai, a member of the Provincial Administrative Organisation Council, and he reportedly became angry and raised his voice at Nisathit before leaving the venue, returning later with the group and pointed at Nisathit.
The group then assaulted the officer, who sustained bruises.
Police also conducted a search of Siradanai’s house today, under a court-issued search warrant.
The assault has drawn widespread criticism, particularly from National Police Chief Pol Gen Kitrat Phanphet, who has ordered a thorough investigation to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable, regardless of their status.
Meanwhile, the Democrat party’s spokeswoman, Janejira Rattanapian, stated that she has not yet spoken with Somyot about the incident, but that she believes that the attack stemmed from a personal matter that is unrelated to the party.
She expressed her support for Nisathit and her hope that the investigation would be carried out with transparency and fairness to all parties involved.
