Protest forces transfer of police major

THALANG: The Deputy Commissioner of Police for Region 5, Pol Col Pongsak na Nakhorn, has ordered the transfer of Pol Maj Anand Jingjit from Thalang Police Station to Phuket Town, following a noisy protest by 200 people today. The protest came after a car driver involved in an accident with an elderly woman on a motorcycle was released without charge and without paying any compensation. The driver, Noppadon Thammawong, is alleged by local residents to have crashed into Pramoon Nilwan, 63, and then to have fled the scene. In the accident, which took place outside Thalang Hospital on March 23, Pramoon suffered severe internal injuries and several broken bones. Noppadon surrendered at Thalang Police Station on April 29. After just three hours, he was freed by the case officer, Maj Anand. His release, said Pol Maj Jamroon Taiduang today, came after the intervention of a retired police captain. One of the local community leaders, Thalang Municipal Councilor Prasong Trirat, said that Pramoon had never received any compensation for her injuries. “We are not against the police,” he explained. “We just want to see justice done.” While the protestors were pleased to hear Maj Anand will be transferred, K. Prasong added that they would be following the case against Noppadon very closely.