Police vow fair car park killing probe

The case against a 50-year-old engineer who killed a teenager following a car park dispute in Chon Buri is being built solely based on evidence, not public opinion, police said yesterday.

Pol Col Krisana Pattanacharoen, deputy national police spokesman, said that no matter what the public has to say about the case, the investigation will stick to the facts and the law. He said investigators are still gathering evidence and taking statements from witnesses to ensure justice for both sides which so far have given conflicting accounts of what happened.

The public, who voiced their opinions through social media, has been divided over a clash between Suthep Pochanasomboon and a group of teenagers in Chon Buri’s tambon Ang Sila of Muang district last Saturday that culminated in 17-year-old Nawapol Peungpai being shot dead.

Supporters say Mr Suthep acted in selfdefence while others argue he overreacted. Such arguments are based on a series of video clips that were released online, most of which were from the engineer’s vehicle camera.

Mr Suthep was initially charged with premeditated murder and carrying a firearm without a proper reason. Police have 84 days to wrap up the investigation.

Police said the charges may change depending on evidence and witness accounts that come in as the investigation progresses.

Pol Col Krisana said Mr Suthep insisted he has a gun licence but has yet to produce the document to police.

Meanwhile, deputy permanent secretary for justice, Dusadee Arayawuth, said yesterday that he has yet to meet Mr Suthep who contacted the Justice Ministry for legal assistance and to seek protection after he claimed he received a threat threat allegedly from the group of teenagers.

Pol Col Dusadee said Mr Suthep asked to postpone the meeting with the ministry and the police scheduled to take place yesterday because the man fell ill. The senior justice official said he has coordinated with the Rights and Liberties Protection Department chief, Pitikan Sithidej, to provide help for Mr Suthep if he needs it. He also said he is not worried about the case and that police are doing their job. However, he pointed out that public opinion cannot change the facts or the evidence, which are crucial in the legal proceedings.

Pol Col Dusadee is also in charge of the Justice Ministry’s panel seeking a retrial of ex-teacher Jomsap Saenmuangkhot who was found guilty in a fatal hit-and-run case in 2005.