BOTH Phue Thai and Kao Klai parties said they would consider helping Chaiamorn Kaewwiboonpan, a popular singer whose stage name is Ammy the Bottom Blues, after he was arrested in Ayutthaya province today (March 3) on the charges of violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, for setting fire to property in front of Klong Prem prison, as well as breaching the Computer Crime Act, Siam Rath newspaper said.
He was arrested at his rented house in this province adjacent to Bangkok at 1 p.m. today. As he had been injured on the left shoulder and hip, he was first taken to the provincial Rajthanee Hospital before being admitted to Police Hospital.
Metropolitan Police commanders said the singer has not yet confessed to the charges filed against him while it was also not true that he was arrested at Rama IX Hospital.
Meanwhile Mr. Prasert Chantrarawongthong, Pheu Thai Party’s secretary-general, said if it was confirmed Ammy had been arrested then there would be discussions on helping him but this required studying the allegations because the fire had spread to the Royal Portrait of His Majesty the King and this was a sensitive issue that had been carefully considered.
Kao Klai Party’s secretary-general Mr. Chaitawat Tulthan said this case was as yet at accusation stage and there was no clear evidence whether he committed the alleged offense or not.
In the past Kao Klai MPs had placed their positions as a guarantee to bail out suspects in order to give the accused an opportunity to come out and fight the case. Whether they are in the right or wrong is for the judicial system to determine and the accused is assumed innocent until the final verdict.
“Regarding this matter it cannot be denied that there is a conflict of thought. We want the government and the authorities to think about the rallies and political expressions as a conflict of thought.
“However when there are political differences, the political process should be used to solve the problem otherwise it would not be terminated nor a solution found.
“Using strict oppressive laws and looking at this issue as a criminal problem, regular crime cases, but it is a conflict of thought,” he said.
Metropolitan Police commanders were questioned about an issue raised in social media that the scene of the incident was in front of the prison and not within the compound.
They replied that the area outside the prison where people could walk by was in fact part of the prison compound.
On whether any other stars were involved in this case, they said evidence was still being collected and if any were involved they would be arrested but as of now no additional stars had been held.
CAPTION:
Top: Popular singer Ammy the Bottom Blues. Photo: Siam Rath
Home Page: Ammy, right, and Pol. Maj. Gen. Piya Tawichai, deputy chief and spokesman of Metropolitan Police, left. Photo: Siam Rath
