On a quiet Sunday, an intense conversation about police reform took center stage, revolving around Praween Chankhlai—a former local administrator in Nakhon Pathom, who was embroiled in a murder case of a highway police officer during an ill-fated gathering at his residence earlier this month. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Now, fourteen police officers are facing charges for neglecting their duty in connection to the brutal killing of a highway officer in Praween Chankhlai’s home, in Nakhon Pathom province early this month. The Deputy National Police Chief, Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, announced this unfortunate twist of events on a Sunday. He pointed out the failure of the fourteen officers to help their two fellow officers who were viciously shot during a social gathering at Praween’s residence situated in the Muang district, on the dreadful night of September 6.
The unfortunate victims of this horrifying incident were Pol Maj Siwakorn Saibua, a dedicated 32-year-old highway police inspector who lost his life due to multiple gunshot wounds, and Pol Lt Col Wasin Panpee, both serving under Highway Police Sub-division 2.
Among the fourteen officers who will be facing the serious charge are station chiefs having the rank of police colonels, deputy police inspectors, and seven non-commissioned officers.
The fatal incident unfolded when Praween Chankhlai, aged 35, hosted a social gathering at his place in tambon Takong on September 6. Around 30 police officers reportedly attended this event. As per initial reports, Pol Maj Siwakorn turned down Praween’s proposition at the party about promoting his nephew—who was serving as a highway policeman. This led to a gunman, reportedly close to Praween, firing multiples shots at Pol Maj Siwakorn from close quarters. Tragically, a few stray bullets hit and injured Pol Lt Col Wasin.
This grim incident sparked widespread fury since the police officers present at the site did not apprehend the gunman and Praween but rather let them escape freely.
The shooter later met his end in an extra-judicial killing. Meanwhile, the prime suspect, Praween, turned himself in and investigators from multiple agencies have begun scrutinizing his businesses and professional affiliations.
Earlier, Deputy National Police Chief Surachate revealed that several attendees of the party had given false statements, as the CCTV footage recovered from Praween’s residence contradicts their claims.
In another unexpected turn of events, an official from the corrections department was dismissed after he absconded with the CCTV servers from the crime scene and disposed of them in water.
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