Deputy national police chief Somyot Phumpanmuang on Friday defended the arrests of four men and one woman for their alleged involvement in the Khok Wua killings in 2010, but kept silent on whether they were linked to the red-shirts.
Kittisak Soomsri shows how he used his M79 launcher to fire grenades at soldiers and civilians, during the re-enactment on Friday. The attacks took place on April 10, 2010, at Khok Wua intersection. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
Pol Gen Somyot said there was sufficient evidence to convinced the Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for the five suspects.
He said they had confessed to police to being behind the attacks on soldiers and civilians on the night of April 10, 2010.
"They are not scapegoats," he told reporters.
One of the victims was Gen Romklao Thuwatham, who was then an army colonel leading his troops at Khok Wua, where he was killed.
Pol Gen Somyot decided not to comment on the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's denial of any connection between the ''men in black" and the UDD.
The case is still under investigation, which may or may not establish links with the red-shirt movement, he added.
UDD co-leader Veerakarn Musikapong on Thursday questioned whether the suspects actually were actually even involved in the incident.
UDD spokesman Thanawut Wichaidit on Thursday also denied any use of violent means by the group.
The five suspects were arrested on Tuesday and presented to the press on Thursday. They are Kittisak Soomsri, 45, Chamnan Phakeechai, 45, and Punika Chusri, a 39-year-old female, Preecha Yuyen, 24, and Ronnarit Suricha, 33.
Another two suspects --Thanadet Ek-apiwat, 39, and Watthanachoke Chinpui, 23 -- are wanted under arrest warrants and police are looking for them.
Police took Mr Kittisak, Mr Chamnan, Mr Preecha and Mr Ronnarit to the crime scene on Friday for a re-enactment, amid tight security.
They showed the police where they were dropped off by a van in front of Wat Mahannaparam Vihara on Tanao road near the Khok Wua interesection with Ratchadamnoen Avenue. From there they allegedly used M16 rifles and M79 grenade launchers to attack soldiers on the road.
Mrs Punika was not taken to the crime scene.
The fighting at Khok Wua took place as red-shirt supporters took to the streets to oust the then government led by prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
The four suspects were escorted back to detention at the Crime Suppression Division after the re-enactment.
They are scheduled to appear in court on Saturday, when police will seek approval to further detain them for investigation. Pol Gen Somyot said police will oppose bail.
Police take four ''men in black" to the crime scene for a re-enactment, amid tight security. (Photos by Apichart Jinakul)