Police pursue 83 arrest warrants for Phuket riots

PHUKET: Police are pursuing those named in the 83 unserved arrest warrants issued last month for suspects wanted in connection with the Thalang Police Station riot in October (story here).

Officials have been collecting videographic and photographic evidence against the suspects, resulting in charges for assaulting officers, blockading traffic and arson, confirmed Region 8 Police Commander Tesa Siriwato on Tuesday.

“We have asked the governor to order local authorities and village headmen to encourage those for whom arrest warrants have been issued to surrender. We are also sending the warrants to their families, so that their parents, guardians or spouse can bring them to the police station,” Maj Gen Tesa said.

Gen Tesa noted that because many of the suspects are teenagers involved in other criminal activity, police are holding off on making arrests at their residences to avoid any further violence.

“In the case where a teenager surrenders, we will invite parents, prosecutors, psychologists, lawyers and other relevant officials to get involved, as it is a very sensitive issue,” Gen Tesa added.

Police have already apprehended five riot suspects, four of whom were picked up for unrelated charges (story here and here).

Two of the five arrests were made yesterday when Chitnarong Panampai, 24, and Thongchai Panampai, 19, were caught in possession of ya ba (methamphetamine) pills and marijuana respectively.

Police expect most of the suspects to come forward by next month.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong