Four red shirts of the pro-government People’s Radio for Democracy Group (PRDG) have been arrested near the rally site outside the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) office in Nonthaburi for allegedly possessing weapons.
Pro-government People’s Radio for Democracy Group protesters gather inside Muang Nonthaburi police station yesterday. The group demanded the release of their members who were arrested at their rally site outside the National Anti-Corruption Commission office for allegedly possessing weapons
They are also suspected of involvement in the M79 grenade blasts at the NACC compound late on Thursday night.
The arrests were announced on Friday by deputy national police chief Ek Angsananon, Nonthaburi governor Thanon Wetkorakanon and provincial police chief Thanayuth Wutthicharasthamrong.
According to a briefing, Chuchart Chusri, 33, was arrested with a shotgun and 38 rounds of ammunition, while Rattanapong Intharangsri, 35, was apprehended with an AK-47 assault rifle and 120 rounds of ammunition, two RGD-5 hand grenades and four magazines of bullets.
Samai Boonnan, 60, was captured with a handmade gun and 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
Police also detained Kompakon Kokaew, 46, who was wanted under an arrest warrant issued in 2010 for allegedly stealing cars.
Officers also discovered an M79 grenade launcher with six 40mm grenades, four RGD-5 hand grenades, a Colt .45-calibre handgun with 44 rounds of ammunition, and 39 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, typically used for AK-47 rifles, hidden in a sack in a bush at the entrance of Nonthaburi Soi 46.
a cache of weapons, including an M79 grenade launcher and RGD-5 hand grenades, is displayed at a press briefing at the police station. KRIT PROMSAKA NA SAKOLNAKORN AND THANARAK KHOONTON
The arrests came shortly after two M79 grenades were fired at the NACC office, causing damage to the office building, he said.
There were no reported injuries as a result of the blasts.
All the seized weapons will be checked to determine if they have been used in any other incidents, Pol Gen Ek said.
PRDG spokesman Sornrak Malaithong said yesterday that the M79 grenade attack was carried out to frame the PRDG because army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha had earlier predicted them.
He said the PRDG gathering was not aimed at inciting violence.
PRDG leader Somsak Lorpetrungruang said Mr Chuchart took the shotgun with him to defend himself, while Mr Rattanapong was only in the area when police discovered the AK-47 rifle. He also insisted the seized M79 grenade launcher had nothing to do with the PRDG.
Speaking after the Centre for the Administraton of Peace and Order meeting yesterday, deputy national police spokeswoman Anchulee Theerawongpaisal said the state agency had instructed investigators to speed up the probe into the three armed suspects.
She said the investigations into various seizures made by state agencies have made progress.