Police: Shots were fired but not by us

METROPOLITAN POLICE said three people were shot outside Din Daeng police station last evening (August 16) but not by policemen with two of them having been issued weapons and rubber bullets and the one photographed was Pol. Lt. Piyapong who had been issued six rubber bullets, Amarin TV and Police News said.

Forensic police scoured the area twice today to collect evidence and work out the sniper’s trajectory but results are not out yet.

Aside from the approximately 20 years old unidentified man who has a bullet lodged in his brainstem and is undergoing treatment at Rajavithi Hospital, a 14-year-old teenager was shot in the right shoulder and treated at Chulalongkorn Hospital. A third person was hit by metal shrapnel in the foot and he was discharged after treatment at Petchwet Hospital.

Pol. Lt .Gen. Phakphong Phongphetra, head of the Metropolitan Police, said the teenager’s father stated that his son was most likely shot outside a wastewater treatment plant, about 50 metres from Din Daeng police station.

The man with a bullet in his brainstem had been running from Princeton Hotel, passed in front of the Din Daeng police station, and fell down at the same wastewater treatment plant.

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Forensic police found a pile of blood in the area, a bullet casing and there were also traces of bullet holes in the walls and crystal balls scattered on the floor.

Eyewitnesses living in nearby Din Daeng flats claim they saw the sniper shooting from the left side of the police station and they are being questioned to find out who this person is.

Also being investigated is whether a rival group shot at the crowd of protesters with the end of this alley being checked for clues.

Pol Lt. Gen. Phakphong also mentioned that 13 suspects, including five youths, had been arrested after yesterday’s clash between protesters, who had marched from Victory Monument to the Government House before returning to Din Daeng junction, and riot police.

Five police booths were also damaged in the areas under the jurisdiction of Nang Loeng, Phahon Yothin, Sutthisan and Huai Khwang police stations.

He confirmed that police are adhering to crowd control tactics and using tools and weapons as approved by the Cabinet with these not being lethal.

Regarding the sharing of information that protesters had been hit with tear gas canisters in their face causing serious injuries,  Pol Lt. Gen. Phakpong said he was still in the process of sending letters to hospitals to request details of the treatment.

However he displayed a tear gas canister to the press and explained that when fired the metal casing remains in the barrel and the cylindrical rubber-like material that goes forth is not dangerous when it hits the body.

CAPTIONS:

Top: The teenager who was shot in the right shoulder last night.

First below: A bullet casing found outside Din Daeng police station.

Second below: Pol. Lt. Piyapong firing rubber bullets from Din Daeng police station.

Home Page: Din Daeng police station. All photos: Amarin TV and Police News