PM, Chavalit 'responsible'

The source said that, based on senior officials' statements, the panel headed by Surasee Kosolnawin, had concluded that Somchai and Chavalit should be held responsible.

Chavalit served as a deputy prime minister in the Somchai-led government until October 7, which saw bloody clashes between police and People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrators.

Soon after police hurled tear gas into PAD crowds in front of the Parliament House on the morning of October 7, hundreds of PAD demonstrators were hospitalised. Many lost limbs.

The shocking dispersal led to more confrontations between PAD supporters and police later in the day. In the end, the incidents claimed two lives and injured more than 400 victims. Police officers were among the injured.

Surasee reported his panel's findings to the NHRC yesterday, concluding that the huge casualties were a result of police use of tear gas.

He said Somchai and Chavalit must therefore take the blame for ordering the dispersal of the PAD crowds.

The NHRC yesterday decided not to conclude its investigation into the October 7 based on these initial findings.

"The NHRC has not yet issued a conclusion on the case," its chairman Saneh Chamarik said. "We only have initial findings and are in the process of gathering more information."

Saneh said the commission would wait to hear from Somchai and National Police commissioner General Patcharawat Wongsuwan first.

Surasee's panel is gathering additional information.

According to Surasee, Somchai has asked to submit a written statement instead of coming in to give information in person.

"We will be looking forward to his statement," he said.

Another source, meanwhile, said Chavalit had agreed to come before the NHRC.

In a related development, the PAD yesterday lodged an official complaint against deputy police spokesman Maj-General Surapon Tuantong for defaming Angkhana Radabpanyawoot, who died during the October 7 clashes.

PAD lawyer Suwat Apaipak filed the complaint on behalf of Angkhana's mother, who was also injured in the incident.

Soon after Angkhana died, Surapon held press conferences suggesting that the victim had succumbed to injuries caused by a bomb she was carrying. He was quoted in the press as saying, "The wound on her body was too severe to have been inflicted by any weapon the police were using."

However, evidence later showed that Angkhana had died of the Chinese-made tear gas used by the police.

Suwat said Surapon's statement could have led people to believe that Angkhana was a troublemaker who was carrying a weapon in public places.

"His words are tantamount to abuse of authority, because he was speaking to the media in the capacity of deputy police spokesman," an affidavit from the lawyer said.

The Criminal Court will hear the case on December 29.