Probe launched over sheltering, but 'not against those who lived with Somchai'
Police are set to summon 10 people thought to have assisted or sheltered high-profile convict Somchai Khunpluem, who was arrested on Wednesday after spending years as a fugitive. The 10 will be interviewed pending possible prosecution for sheltering a criminal, which carries a two-year imprisonment sentence.
Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, however, said those who had lived in the same residence with Somchai, better known as Kamnan Poh, would be not be held criminally liable. "He was apprehended in a public area and we cannot know now whom Somchai was living with. This issue should be over by now," he said.
Article 189 of the Criminal Code stipulates that anyone assisting in any manner, sheltering or hiding criminal suspects or convicted felons, or doing anything to help them avoid arrest, is subject to two years' imprisonment and/or a Bt4,000 fine.
Citing tip-offs from citizens and intelligence reports, police said Somchai had been residing at a house in his home territory in the Bang Saen area in Chon Buri's Muang district. He had been seen entering and going out of this house with many people and visitors including his son, Culture Minister Sonthaya Kunplome, and Somchai's four other children.
The black Lexus SUV in which Somchai was travelling at the time of his arrest at a toll plaza in eastern Bangkok belongs to Winai Phonphaiphal, who police said would be subject to legal action for sheltering a convict. Winai, an active kamnan in Chon Buri's Muang district, has already been charged with possessing and carrying munitions without permission, after police found six shotgun shells in the vehicle.
National Police chief Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew, during a press conference, was short of words and appeared awkward when discussing Somchai's arrest and fielding questions about the police's inability to locate him earlier. Asked about why police, especially in local precincts in Chon Buri, had no idea about Somchai's whereabouts and movements before his arrest, which received widespread media attention, he said: "This issue will be taken care of later."
Asked about the progress in apprehending two other high-profile fugitive convicts, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and veteran politician Wattana Asavahame, Adul said: "The process is ongoing."
Chalerm later hailed Pol Lt-General Phongphas Chayaphan, the commander of the Central Investigation Bureau who initiated Somchai's arrest, saying he and his men had been straightforward in carrying out their duties.
Phongphas said later that police were interviewing staff at Samitivej Hospital's Srinakarin branch, where Somchai had reportedly been receiving medical treatment. According to standard procedure, all hospitals are required to report to police when they treat people with gunshot and knife wounds, or people they know to have criminal records.
Somchai, now in temporary custody at Bangkok Remand Prison, reportedly suffers from depression and has seen a worsening of his various chronic diseases. Prison chief Sorrasit Jongcharoen said it was possible Somchai would later be moved to the prison's hospital if his condition deteriorated. "In case a doctor should recommend additional treatment, Somchai would be moved to Police General Hospital," Sorrasit said.
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Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2013/02/01/ten-to-be-questioned-in-poh-case/
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