Police yesterday arrested a man whose YouTube video had warned of bomb attacks and armed struggle in Bangkok.
Phornwat Thongthanaboon, who is also known as "K Thong", was seated inside a military van that Army expert Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol had taken to the Crime Suppression Division to ask about arranging for Phornwat's surrender.
Police had taken out an arrest warrant for Phornwat, a close aide to Khattiya, on charges of causing public disturbance and making a threat to cause widespread fear.
After his arrest, Phornwat denied all the charges, saying he merely made a prediction in his Internet astrology programme. The clip that appeared on YouTube was edited without his knowledge, he claimed.
Khattiya was giving an interview to reporters and was about to leave the CSD compound when CSD deputy commander Colonel Sanit Mahathaworn, backed by commandos, asked to search the van, which carried a military licence plate, while acting on a tip-off that Phornwat was inside.
Phornwat was found sitting on the back row holding a newspaper up to cover his face, along with four pistols and more than 50 bullets and a knife.
Khattiya, who turned grim after his aide's arrest, insisted the guns were registered and that he had to carry firearms because his life was under threat.
Khattiya told police that he had to leave for a flight to Ubon Ratchathani and was about to get into the van with his driver when CSD commandos asked them to return to the investigation room.
Khattiya told reporters that earlier in the day he had caught a man following him from Suvarnabhumi Airport. He said the man confessed that he worked for Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban. Khattiya confiscated the man's mobile phone, two-way radio and driver's licence.
