A uniformed man who made his way into the inner circle of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the scene of Sunday’s fatal pub fire in Bangkok is facing charges that include impersonating a public official, police said on Wednesday.
Chitapong “Muad Nut” Khattapong met on Thursday with police after photos and video circulated showing him wearing a military-style uniform and moving freely within a restricted area outside the Rong Beer Na Ladprao pub in Chatuchak district.
He also gave interviews to the media while presenting himself as an official, with police later alleging that some of the information he provided was false.
Before entering the police station, Mr Chitapong briefly spoke with the social media personality Gun Jompalang. The suspect claimed he had been playing airsoft (BB gun) before heading to the fire scene and had not changed clothes because his long-sleeved shirt and trousers offered better protection against heat and potential hazards.
Mr Chitapong said he was not a government official but a volunteer with the Civil Defence Volunteer Corps, which operates under the Interior Ministry. He said that once he learned about the fire through a Line group he immediately travelled to the scene to help victims.
Mr Chitapong claims to have worked at several government agencies and military-related organisations in the past.
He also lists experience as a senator’s assistant, committee secretary, operations manager, training manager and personnel development officer.
In politics, he previously ran for the Bangkok Metropolitan Council in Phaya Thai district under the Krungthep Bin Dai (Bangkok Can Fly) group. He received 572 votes.
Because Mr Chitapong voluntarily presented himself to investigators, police said he would be released without bail after the charges of impersonating an official were formally acknowledged.
