Rocker Sek Loso arraigned on firearms rap

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: Prosecutors yesterday indicted rock star Sek Loso in court on firearms charges arising from an incident at a temple in this southern province in December.

The 44-year-old performer, accompanied by his lawyer Mongkholvijit Thanasophon, reported to the Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Court, where he was arraigned.

He is charged with unauthorised possession of a firearm, and illegally carrying it and firing shots in a public area.

He is accused of firing nine shots into the air from a handgun, and one shot into the ground, in front of the statue of King Taksin the Great at Wat Khao Khun Phanom in Nakhon Si Thammarat on Dec 29 shortly after playing a concert there.

Prosecutors submitted the indictments to the court, which set March 15 for a ruling. He was ordered to report to provincial probation officials.

The singer was detained in a court cell while his lawyer applied for bail, offering surety of 150,000 baht. The court granted the application and he was released about 11.45am.

On emerging from court, the singer was greeted by a throng of news reporters. He said he was not disheartened by the prospect of the court ruling set for March 15.

Sek, whose real name is Seksan Sookpimay, drew public attention when he streamed a video of himself firing the shots into the air in the grounds of Wat Khao Khun Phanom.

He was arrested at his house in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district on Dec 31 following a showdown with police.