Tambons angry over slow progress in investigation

PA KHLOK: The chairman of the Phuket OrBorTor Association (POA), an umbrella organization for the island’s Tambon councils, says the POA is ready to complain to the Ministry of Interior about the slow progress made by police investigating the attempted assassination of Pa Khlok OrBorTor member and journalist Siripoj Cheechang. K. Siripoj was working to stop a local “investor” from building and operating a 600-rai prawn farm in protected mangrove forests in the Pa Khlok area when, earlier this month, he was knocked off his motorcycle by a pick-up truck. Witnesses allege that the driver then turned the truck around and ran over him. “This incident has frightened all OrBorTor members and officers,” said POA chairman Cherdchu Sae-Jew, who is also chairman of OrBorTor Sa Ku. “The association’s lawyer is working on finding more witnesses,” he said, adding that the POA is trying to find evidence to implicate the “big boss” believed to be behind the assassination attempt. He warned, “If there is no progress, then we will contact the Ministry of Interior.” Meanwhile, K. Siripoj is out of the intensive care unit at Wachira Phuket Hospital, though he is still undergoing treatment for severe injuries to his leg sustained when he was run over. The driver of the pick-up truck, prawn farm worker Buncha Noppawong, 34, from Songkhla, was remanded in custody again yesterday after a hearing at which his second application for bail was turned down. He faces charges of attempted murder and reckless driving.