Democrat Party MP Chaichana Dechdecho reported to Thung Yai police station in Nakhon Si Thammarat today to acknowledge an assault charge after the deputy superintendent of the station’s investigation unit filed a complaint against him over an incident at the funeral of a local politician’s mother.
After spending more than two hours speaking with police, Chaichana told reporters that he and Pol Lt Col Thanongsak Sawasdikomon had simply put their arms around each other, with his hand accidentally coming into contact with the officer’s face.
He stressed that he had a good relationship with the officer.
“My hand touched his cheek and face. We put our arms around each other. He put his arm around me and I put my arm around him. It only falls under the law because my hand touched his face, under Section 391. There was nothing else,” Chaichana said.
Pol Col Phongphichan Chayananpiriya, chief of Thung Yai police station, said the deputy superintendent filed a complaint against the politician on the evening of August 12. A preliminary investigation found that an incident had indeed taken place, he said.
Police have so far questioned three witnesses and plan to interview more. They will then gather other evidence as part of the investigation.
Phongphichan also appealed to members of the public who may have photographs or video footage of the incident to provide them to police.
The case has drawn public attention because Chaichana is an MP and a senior Democrat Party figure. Thanongsak initially denied that he had been assaulted but later changed his account and filed a complaint.
The officer reportedly changed his mind after National Police Chief Gen Kitrat Phanphet ordered that he be kept informed of the investigation and its progress.
Thai PBS reports that an eyewitness said the alleged incident occurred after Chaichana and the police officer sat at the same table and discussed politics before an argument broke out. The witness claimed that the politician then slapped the officer.
Another person at the event said another police officer was sitting at the table but did not intervene. The funeral hosts subsequently escorted the deputy superintendent away to prevent the situation from escalating.
Chaichana suggested that the allegation could be politically motivated and intended to undermine his credibility.
