Chaiwat's arrest 'over the top'

Thai People's Network core member Banawit Kengrian on Thursday lodged a complaint with national police chief Wichean Potephosree, accusing police of going over the top when they arrested TPN leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong and former senator Somboon Thongburan yesterday.

Admiral Banawit, a former deputy permanent secretary for defence, said the police overreacted when they tried to arrest Mr Chaiwat and Mr Somboon.

"The police approached [Mr Chaiwat] forcefully and carried him away while he was eating at a sukiyaki restaurant.

"They did not follow the legal process in refusing to read the arrest warrant," he said.

Adm Banawit said the officers initially made a mistake, trying to Chokepisit Worapattanachai thinking he was Mr Somboon. Mr Chokepisit was then charged with obstructing police.

He said a woman was also injured during the arrests.

He called on Pol Gen Wichean to clarify the situation to the public and give fair treatment to affected parties.

"If the process is slow, there could be more people at the yellow-shirt rally on Jan 25 and it could last longer," Adm Banawit said.

The clip below, uploaded by kasemtele30794, shows Mr Chaiwat being arrested and carried away by police at a restaurant on Jan 18, 2011.

Mr Chaiwat and Mr Somboon were arrested yesterday after they submitted a petition against the government addressing to His Majesty the King. The TPN accuses the government of mismanaging the border demarcation issue with Cambodia.