Bangkok: The police officer involved in the assault on a car owner who mistakenly ran through a checkpoint has confessed to charges under the Anti-Disappearance Act.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident involved seven officers from the Traffic Police Division who assaulted a civilian, resulting in serious injuries to Mr. Thanaphon, the son of Pol. Lt. Col. Thanachai, on Prasertmanukit Road. The officers had mistakenly identified Mr. Thanaphon's vehicle as one that had evaded an alcohol checkpoint due to its matching make, model, and color. The officers were subsequently dismissed from service.
On March 7, 2015, a special investigation team led by Mr. Watcharin Phanurat, Deputy Attorney General, and Mr. Angsuket Wisutthawatsak, Director of the Justice Affairs Division at the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), convened to set a framework for the investigation. This team was responsible for investigating violations under the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearances Act B.E. 2565. By June 18, 2015, the team had decided to press charges against the seven officers under Section 5 of the Anti-Abduction Act, which addresses severe physical or mental suffering inflicted by government officials.
Today, Mr. Watcharin Phanurat and Mr. Angsuket Wisutthawatsak, along with prosecutors and DSI officers, formally charged the officers under the Enforced Disappearance Act, Section 5, as well as various sections of the Criminal Code and the Organic Act on the Prevention and Suppression of Corruption B.E. 2561.
Mr. Angsuket stated that the officers have been summoned to acknowledge the charges but will not be detained as they have cooperated with the investigation. The officers have 15 days to respond to the charges. The case will be forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General for Corruption Suppression for further action, with an aim to conclude the process by August.
At 9:00 a.m., six of the accused officers arrived at the Department of Special Investigation, with their identities concealed, to acknowledge the charges. One officer has yet to report to the investigators.