Songkhla: Songkhla Provincial Court has issued an arrest warrant for a prominent provincial assemblyman and seven other individuals after they reportedly assaulted a police sergeant major at a polling station in Songkhla Province. The national police chief has emphasized the need for legal action against those who believe they are above the law.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident involved a member of the Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organization, who is also the son of a Songkhla Member of Parliament. The assemblyman allegedly instructed six subordinates to attack Police Lieutenant Nisathit, who was on duty at the polling station in Phawong Subdistrict. The attack occurred after the assemblyman, while exercising his voting rights, instructed his subordinates to take prohibited photographs, prompting a warning from Pol. Lt. Nisathit. Dissatisfied with the warning, the assemblyman left the polling station only to return with a group of men who assaulted the officer in front of onlookers.
The Songkhla Provincial Court has approved arrest warrants for all seven individuals involved, including the assemblyman, on charges of colluding to assault an officer while on duty. The Commander of Provincial Police Region 9 has assured that the case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Meanwhile, online communities have uncovered the assemblyman’s alleged involvement in various illegal activities and called on local police to dismantle this influential network.
National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet described the attack as egregious and ordered a thorough investigation. He has instructed commanding officers to support the injured officer and directed the Songkhla Provincial Police Commander to oversee the case personally. A special operations team has been assembled to target influential groups acting above the law, with a mandate to investigate and prosecute all related offenses.
The police chief condemned actions that disregard the law, regardless of the perpetrators’ identities. He emphasized that everyone is subject to the country’s laws and regulations and must face legal consequences if they commit offenses. The investigation will also explore any potential involvement of the accused in other illegal activities, with appropriate legal action to follow.