The cop who got the godfather | Bangkok Post: news

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The cool cop who brought in 'the Godfather'

As the leader of the team that arrested high-profile fugitive Kamnan Poh, Pol Col Athip Thaennil achieved instant fame, but the calm career policeman isn't comfortable in the role of celebrity and is quick to shine the spotlight on the role of others in the high-profile capture

Published: 17 Feb 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: Spectrum

He's credited with putting an end to one of the most highly publicised fugitive hunts in modern Thai history, but the celebrity he's obtained sits uneasily with Pol Col Athip Thaennil.

The investigator, who led the team that brought down the notorious ''Godfather of the East'' Somchai ''Kamnan Poh'' Khunploem after, relied more on technology and smarts than brute force and bravado in his investigation. And he is likewise a bookish type, who confesses to feeling ''a bit awkward'' when people stop him on the street following his headline-grabbing success in putting an end to Kamnan Poh's seven years on the lam.

''Since we caught Kamnan Poh, people have become familiar with my name and my photo,'' he said. ''However, this doesn't affect my life at all. I'm neither excited about the recognition nor especially happy. I don't really feel I'm in the spotlight.''

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faceless
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Discussion 21 : 18 Feb 2013 at 06.2121
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Pity the press are unable to get to the facts and report them sans fear and prejudice.

This is all smoke and mirrors.
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bkkfarang1
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Discussion 20 : 17 Feb 2013 at 21.2320
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His life is now in immediate danger, inside six months he will be involved in an accident!! Watch this space.
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porky
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Discussion 19 : 17 Feb 2013 at 16.0819
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I agree nothing but a fairytale, Khuenplum needs a hospital to stay alive, this was the way to get him into a hospital VIP room.
Noy alive for much longer by the looks of it...Karma awaits...
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pquinlan
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Discussion 18 : 17 Feb 2013 at 15.4818
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D11: you hit the nail on the head. No one "found" this criminal. He was not lost. He regularly held birthday parties for himself at this home which were attended by local and national politicians (in addition to those in his own family), celebrities, army officers, and (yes) senior police officers. How can you be "found" if everyone already knows where you are. The whole episode is a set up, whether with Pol Col Athip as a witting or unwitting player is irrelevant.
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pquinlan
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Discussion 17 : 17 Feb 2013 at 15.4217
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A small point compared to the utter failure of the police and justice system to deliver in this murder case, but who is paying for his medical care no? As a "prisoner" is the taxpayer being doubly screwed here? The guy roams free for 7 years, everyone thinks it is a great job when he is finally arrested, and then we get to pay for his medical care? As a taxpayer, I am less than thrilled with the way my money is being spent.
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Hypocrisy
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Discussion 16 : 17 Feb 2013 at 13.4016
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I agree with disc. 11, I certainly wouldn't want to be in Pol Col Athip Thaennil's shoes, especially when you look at Kamnan Poh's record and also his connections, this whole episode stinks! it's not as if they caught the Jackal or Jack the Ripper for Pete's sake! a team of thirty men and over two months to grab a seventy five yr. old man who has being seen countless times travelling around Chon Buri, come on, obviously the Thai police don't have a version of the British flying squad or, they are scared of someone or some thing!
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 15 : 17 Feb 2013 at 12.1315
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I think the whole story was staged from the beginning to the end. A few weeks ago Kamnan Poh had to travel regularly to a hospital in Bangkok. Now he is in a VIP room in a hospital near his home. I would not be surprised if a few weeks ago the doctors recommended that he should not travel too much and that they would be able to treat him so much better if he would be in a hospital. This is exactly where he is now and on top of that the police can claim they did a good job.
Does anybody believe a middle ranking police officer would get away with this arrest if it wasn’t sanctioned before from the top?
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HowIWish
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Discussion 14 : 17 Feb 2013 at 12.0514
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Of course the police could've made the arrest sooner, but DetSgt Sonchai was on another more important case in Phuket and Hong Kong ;-)
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crescent
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Discussion 13 : 17 Feb 2013 at 12.0513
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Men are never satisfied and forever cynical on people who have done good deed.

It is better late than never. The arrest has resulted in warning other fugitives of the small odds of being arrested by an idealistic group of policemen. Please don't tell us that this is the clever plan of someone in Dubai. Do give credit where it is due otherwise we will never improve because of these cynical and narcissit group of armchair critics.
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lek
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Discussion 12 : 17 Feb 2013 at 12.0412
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In my opinion, the "Godfather" made himself available for arrest because of his ill-health. No cop, not even Pol Col Athip Thaennil would have dared to touch him when he was hale and hearty.
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