Screwdriver suspect’s dad meets RTP

A high-ranking policeman, the father of a suspect who allegedly admitted stabbing to death a Silpakorn University student with a screwdriver, appeared at the Royal Thai Police (RTP) for questioning yesterday.

Pol Lt Col Sakdinan Moonmanee, a deputy superintendent attached to the Kalasin Provincial Police, and father of Dechathorn Moonmanee, 21, visited the RTP with his wife yesterday after being summoned by deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul.

Pol Col Thinnarat Phetphansri, a deputy commander of the Kalasin police who is Pol Lt Col Sakdinan’s superior, was also summoned.

Pol Gen Srivara, who carried out the inquiry, said Pol Lt Col Sakdinan insisted he had never pulled any strings to help his son get away with his crime or made telephone calls to ask police to help with the case. During questioning, Pol Lt Col Sakdinan reportedly said he rarely had conversations with Mr Dechathorn, adding that after the incident, his wife also contacted his son, telling him to tell the truth to police.

Meanwhile, Pol Col Thinnarat asserted his subordinate had never meddled with the investigation, adding if any officers under his supervision are found attempting to interfere in the probe, disciplinary action would be launched.

Teerapong Thitathan, a 24-year-old student at Silpakorn University’s Phetchaburi campus, died on Feb 25 after being beaten and stabbed in the head with a screwdriver in his dormitory in Cha-am district. He did not know his attackers. Four other students were badly hurt. Three of the injured filed a complaint against the attackers at Cha-am police station last week.

Also yesterday, a police force launched a search of Mr Dechathorn’s room at an apartment in Soi Charan Sanitwong 65 of Bangkok’s Bang Phlat district.

The search was conducted in response to Crime Suppression Division (CSD) commander Pol Maj Gen Suthin Sapphuang’s order to gather more evidence in the case.

Police said Mr Dechathorn has rented the room since 2015 and there were people in his room after the day of the incident, according to the apartment’s owner and residents.

RTP deputy spokesman Songpol Wattanachai said yesterday the Criminal Court approved a bail request on Tuesday for 14 suspects with a 700,000-baht surety after they were taken to the CSD for questioning.

However, the court rejected bail for Mr Dechathorn due to the severity of the offence.

As for the three other suspects present at the scene, Pol Maj Gen Songpol said police are gathering evidence to prove if they were involved in the attack, adding no additional arrest warrants have been issued so far.