Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has instructed all provincial governors to check the backgrounds of individuals before they are appointed as officials, citing the case of “Praween”, aka “Kamnan Nok”, a sub-district chief in Nakhon Pathom province.

Praween is accused of involvement in the killing of a police officer and the wounding of another at his house on Wednesday night, reportedly after his request for promotional favours for some of his men was rejected.

Anutin said he wonders how Praween was appointed Ta Kong sub-district headman (kamnan) in the first place, adding that he does not want unsuitable people to be appointed again.

Praween has been suspended from duty by Nakhon Pathom’s governor, pending the outcome of the investigation into the brazen attack on the two police officers.

Praween was escorted to the Crime Suppression Division headquarters in Bangkok today (Friday) for further questioning and detention, following his surrender yesterday. He has denied all the charges against him.

His bodyguard, who allegedly shot the two officers, was killed by police in Kanchanaburi province early this morning, after he shot at a police car while attempting to evade arrest.

According to the CSD, 21 police officers, including four superintendents, were attending the monthly dinner at Praween’s house on Wednesday night. Some of those present have been accused of aiding and abetting the escape of Praween and the gunman after the shooting and of removing CCTV equipment from scene.