Army major held for allegedly masterminding assassination plot

Chanchai

The arrest came after three men who were earlier held in connection with the plot implicated the major as the mastermind.

The arrested men told the investigators that a group of military officers wanted to instigate turmoil ahead of today's rally by the red shirts, according to the source.

The three were Kamik Sukkanjanakas, 33, Panupong Rattanapaiboon, 32 and Sakchai Lim, 29.

They were described as the gunman, the driver of the getaway motorcycle, and the contractor.

Chanchai, a former president of the Supreme Court, was accused by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra of plotting the 2006 coup against him along with other senior judges and a few privy councillors.

Following his retirement, Chanchai became justice minister in the post-coup government of Surayud Chulanont. Under the royal command, he was appointed to the Privy Council in 2008.

General Jongrak Chuthanont, deputy national police chief, yesterday told a press conference the three suspects had confessed.

He said the arrested suspects were found to be in possession of a pistol and ammunition, and a motorcycle. The alleged gunman told police he was hired for Bt130,000 and was told the target was an embezzling businessman.

Police said the suspected gunman was taken into custody after being spotted on Monday night casing Chanchai's home at Soi Suksawat 66, in Samut Prakan's Phra Pradaeng district.

According to the source, police managed to break the assassination plot after being alerted by an informant who got access to Chanchai's picture and his car licence number given to the hitman's team.

After news of the assassination plot, national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan yesterday ordered extra police protection for Chanchai and other senior figures accused by Thaksin of plotting the coup against him, the source said.

Chanchai, speaking at his home, said yesterday he was unaware of any motive for the alleged bid on his life. He said he was told of the plot during the Privy Council meeting earlier in the day.

The privy councillor said he was not worried about the plot and he would not take extra precautions following the incident.

Two policemen were dispatched to provide security to the former court president at his home.