There could have been two attackers who launched the M-79 grenade attack on the 1st Infantry Regiment, most likely from the overlooking elevated tollway, a senior policeman said yesterday.
Pol Maj-General Saroj Phromjaroen said security footage of the tollway was not available because there was a power failure when the red shirts showed up at the Army barracks shortly before the attack. He did not mention the footage from the tollway company's security cameras that police had said would be crucial to the case.
"We are now relying on footage caught by cameras in small shops and shopping malls, while obtaining more details about the vehicle used by the attackers from passers-by and possible eyewitnesses," he said.
Speaking of the second M-79 attack early Tuesday near the home of Supreme Administrative Court President Ackaratorn Chularat, Saroj said the attack on a house in Soi Lat Phrao 25 was probably not politically motivated because Ackaratorn's home is in Soi 25. "The grenade was not aimed accurately, so should be ruled out," he added.
Meanwhile, at a raid in a workshop in Ayutthaya yesterday police found and seized a large number of M-16 assault rifle parts that police suspect were being used to illegally produce weapons for use during the red-shirt protest.
Workshop owner Phakhin Nilsonthi said the parts were being produced under an Army contract and that the guns would be assembled later for shooting practice. However, the industry provincial officer later ordered the workshop be temporarily closed because it did not have a permit to produce any kind of firearm.
Phakhin and his 10 workers have not been charged because they cooperated with the closure order. The police is contacting the Army to verify Phakhin's claim of working on a contract.
Phakhin said he had been regularly getting contracts from the Weapon Production Centre under the Defence Industry and Energy Centre based in Lop Buri.
The items seized include 2,100 pieces of upper gun compartments and 3,000 pieces of lower compartments; 2,400 pieces of frontal sight, nine barrels and 11 primers. Under Thai law, anyone caught possessing war weapons, their parts or munitions without permits can face heavy penalties.
