Somchai, Chavalit and Patcharawat to face criminal charges

Wicha Mahakun, a commissioner of National Anti-Corruption Committee (NCCC), said the commission recommended severe disciplinary action against Patcharawat.

Wicha said Somchai and Chavalit would be charged with nonfeasance in violation of Article 157 of the Criminal Code.

The NACC also decided to seek both criminal and disciplinary actions against then Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt Gen Suchart Meunkaew.

They were among nine top officials alleged to have committed malfeasance in ordering and using force to disperse the crowd of PAD protesters rallying in front of the Parliament on October 7 last year.

Two protesters were killed and nearly 500 people were wounded or injured when police fired teargas into the demonstrators near Parliament and at Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters.

Earlier National anti-graft panel said Monday it may delay today's ruling on the October 7 crackdown on anti-government protesters after the national police chief submitted a letter of complaint and new evidence to the panel.

Somluck Chadkrabuanpol, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Committee , said Police Chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan submitted his complaint and additional evidence to the panel.

The panel will meet Monday to verify the evidence.

"If his evidence is not important, the NCCC will conclude the case immediately," said Somluck, "but if the new evidence is significant to the case, we might delay the ruling."