Khattiya to surrender "in a few days"

Outspoken Army officer Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdi-phol, accused of masterminding the grenade attack on the Army headquarters a week ago, said yesterday he would turn himself in to police in the next few days.

Police yesterday arrested a man who worked as a guard for the pro-Thaksin Shinawatra Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship movement and seized a number of replica firearms, including an M79 grenade launcher.

Amnart Intharachote, 40, said he had received military training under the King Taksin Force established by Khattiya but did not know him.

Police later secured an arrest warrant for Phornwat Thongsomboon, a leader in the King Taksin Force and a regular poster of comments in Khattiya's website, after raiding his Bangkok home and finding nine M16 rounds and a number of other munitions and holsters.

Both men have been charged with possessing firearms and replica weapons without permission.

Khattiya did not travel from Songkhla province on Thursday amidst speculation he was going to be arrested. A large group of reporters and cameramen was waiting for his arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Three people close to the officer, including two soldiers arrested on Thursday night when a team of policemen and military officers raided his military flat in Bangkok, were yesterday released on Bt200,000 bail.

Speaking in a phone interview, Khattiya said he was not running away and was staying in Songkhla to "wait and see". He denied being behind the grenade attack, saying he was not in the city at the time it took place - around 3am on January 14.

"I need to see whether my arrest warrant is issued at the request of a civilian or a military unit. I will have my lawyers seek to have it voided on Monday. Under normal procedures, an arrest warrant can be issued for a commissioned Army officer only after two summons are issued," he said.

Khattiya said he did not own any illegal explosives and war weapons found in his house could have been planted there by military policemen participating in the raid.

"I insist I do not keep any explosives in my possession at the flat. That cannot be possible," he added.

He said a handgun and munitions found in his military flat located in the nearby 4th Cavalry Battalion, which was also searched, were legally registered under his name.

He said Sgt-Major Natthasit Suwannaraj, a solider attached to the 3rd Cavalry Battalion, was his personal driver in 1999, while Private Manaschai Khamphon was his orderly. He did not give details about his relationship with Ekkalak Wisetwongsa, a civilian who was arrested yesterday morning.

"Throughout my military career, no attack was ever launched on the Army's HQ until now. It might be carried out by any terrorist, but I will never attack my own home. The Army commander should resign for failing to protect the Army's own command post. I would have left if I were him. But he suspended me and is now making me a scapegoat," he said.

Army chief General Anupong Paochinda has reportedly ordered Army units to hand over Khattiya immediately to police after arrest.

Security at all Army barracks and arms depots has reportedly been heightened to prevent possible attacks or sabotage following the Army's action against Khattiya.