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Three more cops blamed for Rajan escape

Three more top police officials have been held responsible for the escape of gangster Chhota Rajan, from Samitivej Hospital in Bangkok, a police spokesman said on Friday.

Col Chinnaphat Tansrisakul and Lt-Col Khanchai Jiemwilai (immigration bureau general staff division V), and Pol Maj Krissada Suksawat (crime suppression sub-division II) were found 'negligent' in their duties, according to Maj-Gen Pongsapas Pongcharoen, the Bangkok Post reported on Saturday.

Chinnaphat and Khanchai were responsible for the detention of Rajan, who was being treated after an underworld attempt on his life last year.

Krissada had arranged for men to watch over Rajan at the hospital.

Commissioner of the office of Inspector-General Lt-Gen Pongsak Rohitoprakan, had earlier held 13 police officials responsible for Rajan's escape, including Col Manthan Apaiwongse and Lt-Col Paithoon Khumsraphrom.

The 13 have been questioned by a disciplinary investigation panel headed by Maj-Gen Thani Somboonsap, assistant chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

The finding was being withheld pending an investigation into the three other officials, but has now been sent to Gen Narongwit Thaithong, deputy national police chief, for his consideration, the Post said.

Ninety-five witnesses were questioned, the spokesman said.

Rajan had escaped on November 24, 2000, apparently by climbing out his fourth floor window with the help of a rope.

His former lawyer Sirichai Piyapichetkul had alleged that Rajan had bribed Maj-Gen Krirkpong Pukprayoon, the Immigration Bureau general staff division commander, to arrange for his escape.

The spokesman said the Pongsak panel had not found any concrete proof that any policeman took a bribe.

In fact, Krirkpong had filed a defamation case against Sirichai, which may be forwarded to prosecutors on March 6.

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