Police deny soldiers link to lese-majeste
Play
Not a single soldier has been implicated in the high-profile lese-majeste case involving famous fortune teller Suriyan Sujaritpolwong, police have said.
“The investigation report is more than 90 per cent complete already, and not one soldier is named as a suspect,” acting national police Deputy Commissioner Lt-General Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul said yesterday.
He was speaking in response to reports that dozens of commissioned military officers were involved in the case.
The case also involves Suriyan’s secretary Jirawong Wattanathewasilp and Pol Major Prakrom Warunprapha.
Before his arrest, Suriyan, better known as Mor Yong, had served as an adviser to a subcommittee responsible for holding public relations activities for the “Bike for Mom” cycling event on August 16, as well as the “Bike for Dad” event scheduled for December 11.
Prakrom committed suicide while in custody last month.
Srivara yesterday said he was considering taking action against media outlets that published false information with malicious intent.
“If there is evidence against a soldier, police will definitely take action. We trust that the Army won’t protect wrongdoers. But at this point, there is nothing against any soldier at all,” he said.
Regarding the unauthorised installation of signal transmission devices on the Baiyoke Tower, Srivara said there was no evidence to link the installation to lese-majeste.
“So, it’s just a violation to the Communications Act,” Srivara said.
He said Sukkho Tarmseree, who is close to Prakrom, was not found to have committed lese-majeste.
“He is just charged with unauthorised possession of guns and ammunition,” he said.
Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, meanwhile, said he had not heard of any soldier fleeing the country. “No, it’s just that some soldiers haven’t reported to work lately,” he said. “They don’t face any arrest warrant.”
