Protesters nabbed for ‘bombing’ riot police

Two men have been apprehended on suspicion of throwing bombs at riot police during protests in the capital on Sept 11, causing at least one officer to sustain severe injuries.

At 9.36pm, one of the suspects dressed in black lobbed several bombs in the direction of crowd-control police around Soi Ton Pho in Din Daeng district, severely injuring the face of Pol L/C Thanawut Jirakachen, according to a police report.

The officer was immediately rushed to the Police General Hospital.

Investigators identified the suspect and one other protester working with him from CCTV footage after national police chief Suwat Jangyodsuk instructed his team to work with the Investigation Divisions of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and Provincial Police Region 2.

The two men in custody are Paitoon Singchan, 20, and Mr San, 19, both from Phetchabun, police said.

Both are believed to be members of the “Kor Ma Di Gas” group, which joined the rally near the Royal Thai Army Band Department on Vibhavadi Road. The two men reportedly escaped by motorbike to Nonthaburi after attacking the police.

The investigation team was sent to nine areas around Bangkok and its adjacent provinces yesterday. Mr Paitoon was arrested at a house in Bang Bua Thong of Nonthaburi at 6.30am.

Police confiscated 25 bomb-like objects, six sticks of firecrackers, a glass of ground saltpeter, sulphur, marbles, two slingshots, a sack of rocks, duct tape, clothes allegedly worn during the attack, a mobile phone, and a motorbike, among other items.

Mr San was caught in front of a 7-Eleven in Ratchathewi district early yesterday morning.

Both admitted making improvised explosive devices. Mr Paitoon confessed to tossing homemade grenades at riot police at Sam Liam Din Daeng junction and throwing two more grenades at police while making his escape.

They face charges including colluding in an attempt to kill police and illegal assembly in maximum-control zones.

Anyone found guilty of illegally assembling in maximum-control zones where there is a risk of spreading Covid19 can now be fined up to 40,000 baht and/or sentenced to two years in jail, according to the