Democrat Party deputy leader and Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Chaichana Detdecho reported to police on Thursday to acknowledge an assault charge and give a statement over an alleged physical confrontation with a senior police officer at a funeral.
Mr Chaichana appeared at Thung Yai police station in Nakhon Si Thammarat after Pol Lt Col Thanongsak Sawadikomol, deputy investigation chief of Thung Yai police, accused him of assault.
The incident allegedly took place on Aug 8 at a funeral for the mother of the mayor of Prik municipality in Ban Hua Khuan, tambon Prik.
According to the police report, investigators registered a criminal case on Aug 12. Pol Lt Col Thanongsak attended the funeral with relatives and later sat down with Mr Chaichana to talk and drink alcohol after the ceremony. An argument allegedly broke out before the two became involved in a physical confrontation.
Pol Lt Col Thanongsak has already given investigators a statement. Police have inspected the scene, identified people who attended the funeral and interviewed additional witnesses.
National police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch has ordered officers to investigate the incident and proceed in accordance with the law and police disciplinary regulations. Senior officers from Provincial Police Region 8 and Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial police are overseeing the case.
Pol Maj Gen Pornchai Khajornklin, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 8 and acting chief of Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial police, visited the area and ordered the Region 8 Investigation Division to assist with the inquiry.
The probe is being handled by Pol Lt Col Sarawut Kittiruengrayap, an inquiry officer at Thung Yai police station, under the supervision of Pol Lt Col Praphan Decharat.
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