Bangkok: In a race against time, the national police chief has ordered a comprehensive nationwide search to apprehend suspects involved in the Tak Bai case, with operations conducted across five locations just one day before the statute of limitations expires. The suspects are linked to the tragic 2004 incident in Narathiwat Province, where 78 protesters died from asphyxiation during transport by military and police forces.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Gen. Kittirat Panphet, the national police chief, directed the police nationwide to act swiftly, with Pol. Lt. Gen. Thiti Sangsawang of the Metropolitan Police Bureau overseeing operations in Bangkok. Pol. Maj. Gen. Noppasin Poolsawat was tasked with coordinating efforts across Provincial Police Regions 4, 5, and 7. Despite the extensive effort, none of the suspects were located in the searches.
In Kalasin Province, officers from Investigation Police Division 4 and Nong Kung Sri Police Station, armed with a search warrant, were unable to locate Lt. Wis
anukorn Chaisarn, a suspect charged with jointly killing others in the Tak Bai case. The suspect’s father, Nuchan Chaisarn, reported that Lt. Wisanukorn had left home a month ago and remains uncontactable.
Further searches in Chiang Rai Province were conducted by the Crime Suppression Division, Region 5, and Mae Suai Police Station. Despite a substantial police presence, Gen. Chalermchai Wirunphet was not found at the searched residence, which had reportedly been unoccupied for over a year.
In Chiang Mai Province, authorities searched a third location for Mr. Siwa Saengmani, who is wanted for offenses against life and liberty. The search did not yield the suspect’s presence.
The investigation police of the Crime Suppression Division, Region 7, also searched a location in Nakhon Pathom Province, but the suspect was not found. Lastly, in Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Ms. Woranuch Ruangchoi allowed police to search her property, but Lieutenant Commander Wisanukorn Chaisarn and any illegal it
ems remained elusive.
Despite the comprehensive effort, the search operations have thus far proven unsuccessful in locating the suspects involved in the Tak Bai case, as authorities push to conclude the operation before the legal deadline.