Pubdate: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 Source: Bangkok Post (Thailand) Copyright: The Post Publishing Public Co., Ltd. 2014 Contact: http://www.bangkokpost.co.th/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/39 Page: 3 COPS FACE NEW SHOOTING RAP LCT backs attempted murder charge Three Bang Chan policemen who mistook a female law student from Chulalongkorn University for a drug dealer and opened fire at her car should be charged with attempted murder, said the Lawyers Council of Thailand (LCT). Sunthorn Payak, deputy chairman of the LCT, said the three policemen shot at the car even though they knew someone was driving it. The people responsible for that had intent to harm or to kill, said the lawyer, who is in charge of providing legal aid for the council. "The three police officers should be charged with attempted murder," he said. Mr Sunthorn said the Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) is investigating the wrongful shooting and can press the charge against the officers if it sees fit. The MPB set up a panel to investigate the incident and has said the case could be cleared up in seven days. Mr Sunthorn said the LCT has offered legal aid to the third-year law student if she feels the police treat her case unfairly. The shooting took place about 2pm on Saturday when police in pursuit of a drug suspect mistook a car driven by Apisada Sajjapanroj, 21, for that of the drug dealer. The incident occurred at an intersection on Ramkhamhaeng Soi 118. Ms Apisada was overtaken by an unmarked black pickup truck. Four plainclothes police officers then emerged from the vehicle and surrounded her car, but did not identify themselves as police. Ms Apisada said she became frightened when she saw a gun protruding from the waistband of the man standing on the driver's side of the car. She reversed quickly and hit a car behind her. One of the police officers then raised his pistol and fired several shots at Ms Apisada's car. She accelerated and crashed into several more vehicles before coming to a stop when her right front tyre was deflated by bullets. The men then identified themselves as policemen and searched her car but found nothing. The officers left the scene when Ms Apisada's relatives arrived. Mr Sunthorn said that apart from the criminal charge, Ms Apisada should also file a civil case against the police officers and the Royal Thai Police. The civil case should address the fact that officers failed to perform their duties, harmed an innocent member of the public and caused damage to property. "Personally I think this [the wrongful shooting incident] is the worst. "Ms Apisada should file a civil suit against the police involved to prevent a recurrence of the incident," he said. Nanthasak Pulsuk, director-general of the Special Litigation Department at the Office of the Attorney-General, said the direct supervisors of the three Bang Chan officers should also be held partly responsible for the failure of their staff. Mr Nanthasak said an investigation is underway to decide whether their supervisors should also face criminal charges. He said the police officers were extremely unprofessional and failed to plan or direct their work in the correct manner. They also lack the required knowledge and training that is needed to collect evidence properly, he said. Deputy police chief Pongsapat Pongcharoen, who is in charge of drug suppression, has apologised for the wrongful shooting. He vowed to replace the damaged car with a new one and transfer the police to temporary administrative duties pending an investigation. Pol Sub-Lt Supot Toket will be transferred to Prawet station, Pol Sr Sgt Maj Rassami Theptha to Hua Mak and Pol Sr Sgt Maj Chamnian Khandaeng to Udomsuk. He did not mention one other policeman who was reported to have been involved. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt