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Published on April 9, 2008

Pol Lt-Colonel Watanasak Mungkijkarndee, an investigator at Bang Mod police station, filed a copy of the video of Jonathan Head's opening speech at the FCCT plus a transcript and translation to investigators at the Crime Suppression Division.

He said he filed the case alone and without any political motive.

Pol Lt-Colonel Boonlert Kalayanamitr, the officer in charge of the case, said an investigative committee must be appointed. Evidence will be sent to the Royal Thai Police's Foreign Affairs Division, which will translate and interpret the comments as well as request advice from linguistic experts on Head's speech, he said.

Head, who has worked in Asia for the BBC for many years, was not available for comment last night. Friends said the reporter - highly regarded here - is on assignment in the Philippines.

A member of the FCCT board preferred not to discuss the news "at this stage" because the issue was sensitive and the club was unsure of all the details relating to the complaint.

The move was the talk of foreign reporters yesterday. "It just sends a chill," one commented.

The Nation