Body parts, weapons found near Bangkok anti-govt rally site

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: The lower part of a human body and a large amount of explosives-related devices and weapons have been found in a canal near a rally site in Bangkok previously occupied by anti-government protests.

The items were discovered in a joint operation yesterday to comb the area for suspicious items.Meanwhile, police have arrested two suspects who allegedly took part in a deadly attack in Trat province on protesters against the Yingluck government in February.

One of the suspects has reportedly confessed to throwing a grenade at the crowd while the other denied involvement. The attack on the night of February 22, in which attackers fired automatic weapons and threw several grenades, killed three people, including two young girls, and wounded 30 others.

In Phadung Krung Kasem canal near Government House, in a section between Thewakam and Makkhawan bridges, the remains of a man was discovered. A search team of military and police divers also uncovered 19 detonators, knives, barbed wire, a flare, a smoke grenade, and a large amount of war weapon and handgun ammunition.

A deputy Bangkok police chief, Pol Maj General Itthiphol Phiriyaphinyo, said later the man in the canal died around a month ago, and it was not yet known whether a Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives’ employee card found nearby was his. The lower part of the body was initially in two sandbags. The skull was retrieved later.

The canal section where the body was found was occupied in rotation by either the anti-Yingluck government groups, the Dharma Army or the Students and People’s Network for Thailand’s Reform, said the officer.

In the police investigation on the Trat attack, Somsak Phoolsawas – who they say confessed to throwing a grenade at the People’s Democratic Reform Committee rally – took part in a re-enactment of his alleged crimes yesterday. He was arrested on Monday, along with Watchara Krajangklang, wanted with three members of his clan.

Police say Watchara admitted only to possessing weapons and munitions, but denied taking part in the attack.

Police also seized two AK-47 assault rifles and a large number of munitions, along with three magazines, a large number of handgun rounds, 200 ping pong bombs, field equipment and materials prepared as shrapnel, police said.

Key evidence is a Toyota pickup reportedly seen in surveillance camera footage of the Trat attack on February 22.

— Phuket Gazette Editors