Explosives residue on protesters' clothes

The director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science Thailand, was speaking after conducting a fire test yesterday at a Bangkok army ground to check all equipment used during the violent suppression of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters.

The violence left two people dead, many maimed and several hundreds injured. Pornthip is head of a government committee tasked with investigating the operations.

Of all six models of equipment tested, she said the US-made models were most effective. A model found to have contained excessive explosives was a Chinese-made one.

The final test results are expected in the next two days. She said the test was conducted to find out about the explosive contained in tear-gas grenades; whether its quantity in excess could be harmful when used against rioters.

"In general, standard tear-gas grenades contain minimum or no explosives," she said.

Pornthip earlier received an amount of equipment and shrapnel collected by PAD guards and supporters at Makkhawan Bridge, one of the PAD protest sites.

Emergency medical service centre Narenthorn said it had readied a number of ambulances for possible use today when PAD members are scheduled to march to the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Rama I Road to protest against the violent suppression. News reports said pro-government members are ready to use violence against PAD supporters.

Meanwhile, the National Counter-Corruption Commission is set to question Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat for his role in the police's violent suppression of anti-government protesters on October 7.

Also facing the NCCC inquiry are certain Cabinet members and senior police officers who took Somchai's order, NCCC member Wicha Mahathun said yesterday. A formal investigation will commence if the initial inquiry finds them responsible for the clash, which left two people killed and hundreds injured.

The NCCC will make a statement tomorrow in response to the Democrat Party's request to investigate the violent suppression. Wicha said he had no feelings of uneasiness about taking action against Somchai and senior politicians and policemen. "We are already taking action against all members of the Samak Sundaravej Cabinet over the Phrea Vihear Temple dispute without problems," he added.