Sondhi gives police account for first time since shooting

Deputy National Police Commissioner General Thanee Somboonsap interrogated People’s Alliance for Democracy coleader and media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul at the latter’s office yesterday. Thani heads an investigation into the assassination attempt on Sondhi,

Sondhi said he only trusted chief investigator Pol General Thanee Somboonsap, a deputy police chief, and would not speak to anyone else. He also said that he would identify the masterminds and those involved in the murder attempt to the press at 12.30pm today.

Thanee later played down reports that the police obtained clues identifying four suspects involved in the shooting - a civilian, two military officers and a borderpatrol policeman. However, the officer said he had contacted the Army about the standard procedures needed to question Army officers in criminal cases.

Sondhi dismissed reports that he was going on a pilgrimage to Nepal or India, saying that his belief in the "holy mission to take care of his country" had miraculously saved his life.

He added that the deputy Special Branch Bureau chief's statement that Sondhi himself had set up the assassination seek public sympathy saddened him.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he could not confirm reports about the four suspects, while Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday that he would not worry about Sondhi's "tellall" statements to be made public today.