Judge denies bail for ex-mayor

PHUKET TOWN: Accompanied by a heavy police escort, the former mayor of Patong, Dr Anan Ananthanawat, yesterday made his first appearance in the Phuket Provincial Court on charges relating to the slaying of an ex-policeman in Phuket Town in December 1998. Pol Col Paween Pongsirin, superintendent of Phuket Town Police Station, told the Gazette that the police requested that the court deny bail, and order Dr Anan remanded in police custody. “After discussing the case, the judge gave us permission to hold him for another 12 days while we pursue our investigations,” Col Paween said. Dr Anan is accused of hiring hit men to kill ex-Pol Sub-Lt Weerapol Panrod, of possessing a gun and ammunition without a license, and of forging a government document (for the gun’s registration). He denies all three charges.