Police 'hot on heels' of would-be assassins

Police are close to arresting suspected gunmen in the assassination attempt on People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul, according to Assistant National Police Commission Lt-General Assawin Kwanmuang.

When asked about the arrest of the attackers, Assawin yesterday said: "Seriously, there will be good news in the next seven days".

He was speaking after a meeting on the investigation into the case.

Deputy Police Commissioner General Thanee Somboonsap heads the investigation.

Although Thanee did not specify when arrests might be made, he confirmed that evidence was solid enough.

Police now believe the attack on Sondhi was politically motivated.

"The investigators and I are going to question Sondhi soon," Thanee added.

Sondhi left Chulalongkorn Hospital under tight security yesterday morning

On April 17, heavily armed gunmen opened fire on Sondhi's vehicle in the heart of Bangkok while he was heading to his office.

Up to 100 bullets were fired during the attack, but Sondhi, his driver and his aide survived.

Sondhi had a successful operation to remove pieces of a bullet from his skull at Vajira Hospital, after which he was transferred to Chulalongkorn.

Wearing a white T-shirt with the ASTV logo, an inscrutable Sondhi yesterday greeted waiting reporters before he left the hospital.

So far he has declined to give an interview.

About 10 bodyguards surrounded Sondhi, who is the founder of ASTV and PAD co-leader.

The yellow-clad PAD supporters have rallied against Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies since |2006.

Many PAD supporters also saw Sondhi off from the hospital, where dozens of policemen were deployed.

Sondhi was seen leaving with his bodyguards in a black vehicle.

"He is not using a police convoy because he does not wish to attract attention on the road," Pathumwan Police Station superintendent Colonel Paisal Luesomboon said, "but we have plainclothes policemen escorting him."

Sondhi left the hospital at around 9am.

He reached his Baan Phra Arthit office at 9.20am. There he paid his respects to sacred images, statues and amulets and to a picture of his late mother.

Then he spent time relaxing in his office.