After more than two months of investigation into the high-profile killing of a highway police officer in Nakhon Pathom province last September, allegedly by or at the order of a sub-district chief, the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) submitted its case files to provincial public prosecutors today.
Pol Col Anek Taosuparb, CSD deputy commander, said that there are case files against Praween Chanklai, aka “Kamnan Nok”, who is charged with murder, and against 21 police officers who attended a party at Praween’s house, but failed to intervene to stop the shooting or apprehend the perpetrators.
He said that the 21 officers are charged with malfeasance in office, in accordance with Section 157 of the Criminal Code, adding that seven civilians, who were at the scene of the shooting, were also charged with aiding and abetting the police officers.
Regarding allegations against Praween of price collusion over bids for construction projects, the police officer said that the case has been transferred to the Department of Special Investigation.
The shooting occurred on the night of September 6th at Praween’s house in Nakhon Pathom. Praween’s bodyguard allegedly opened fire at two highway police officers, killing Pol Maj Siwakorn Saibua and injuring the other, after both allegedly rejected Praween’s request that his nephew, also a highway police officer, be promoted.
Praween and the gunman fled the scene without being stopped by the other police officers present at the time. CCTV recordings show the two suspects leaving the house with a police escort.
The case has shone a spotlight on corruption in the Thai police force and the investigation of not just the shooting, but also the construction business and other business connections of Praween.
