The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) Commissioner Pol Lt-Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej says he is confident that police now have sufficient evidence to charge Praween Chanklai, aka “Kamnan Nok”, with committing capital offences for killing of a highway police officer and the wounding of another.
The CIB has taken over the investigation into the killing, which took place at Praween’s house on September 6th, from the Region 7 Provincial Police Bureau, as ordered by the national police chief, Pol Gen Damrongsak Kittipraphat.
An investigations into the conduct of police officers present at the house at the time of the shooting, who failed to apprehend the suspects or assisted in their escape, as well as Praween’s extensive construction business, are still under the jurisdiction of the Region 7 Provincial Police Bureau.
The CIB commissioner claimed to the media yesterday (Saturday) that evidence available so far is substantive enough to convict Praween for ordering the shooting of the two officers.
He is scheduled to meet with investigators in the case at the CIB headquarter on Monday.
It is reported that the CIB commissioner has asked for police reports on all “influential” figures in Nakhon Pathom province, who might be the next targets for a police crackdown.
There were about 25 police officers at the house at the time of the shootings, in addition to the two victims. Six of them, who helped to take the two injured men to a hospital, will be spared criminal charges.
The Department of Special Investigation (DSI), the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission and the Revenue Department are engaged in investigating Praween’s construction business and suspected price collusion in bidding for construction projects.
