Arrested Army lieutenant says he was simply hired to drive the car
Lieutenant Thawatchai Klinchana sits in the car allegedly carrying explosive materials as a policeman examines his ID card.
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The Army officer who was arrested yesterday when he was about to get into a car carrying explosive devices near the home of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claims he was paid only Bt200 to drive the car from the scene.
Lieutenant Thawatchai Klinchana, 43, told police he did not know there were explosive devices hidden in the vehicle. He said a friend known only as "J" had paid him Bt200 in the morning to drive the car from the spot where he was arrested to Suan Oui. He had gone to the place by motorcycle taxi from Sam Sen and was about to open the car's door when he was arrested. Thawatchai was formerly the personal driver of General Pallop Pinmanee, deputy director of Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC), when he was an assistant secretary at the Defence Ministry. Pallop was removed as ISOC's deputy director following yesterday's incident. A source in the security operation unit said Thawatchai was among the top-five people most wanted by the Army because they were suspected of committing serious crimes. The source said the prime minister's security staff reported a suspicious Daewoo car on a previous occasion, but it was a different colour to that in yesterday's arrest. The vehicle was also seen on two occasions in a parking lot at Bangkok's Army airport, on days when the prime minister was scheduled to board aircraft there. Thawatchai was born in Ratchaburi. He worked first in the Army's veterinary department before moving to the Isoc. He lost two fingers in a knife accident during his Army service. A source said Thawatchai was not a bomb expert. He was probably ordered to drive the car laden with explosives and to park it at different places. He has worked for several generals with a reputation for bringing explosive devices north from the troubled areas of the deep South, the source said. General Pallop said he sent Thawatchai to the southernmost provinces about four months ago, to perform intelligence duties for the ISOC. He saw him again last week and has not seen him since his arrest. Thawatchai's brother, Sergeant Apiphol Klinchana, of Ratchaburi, said members of the family are shocked and cannot believe he planned to explode a bomb because he has always been a kind, obedient and truthful man. "He had no motivation to commit such a big crime," Apiphol said. "He might have been lured by somebody to do it. Also, the car is not his. "I want to see him and ask about what happen. However, if he says he did it, then he should be punished." Thawatchai's brother said he does not know much about the relationship between Thawatchai and his chief. He only knew that Thawatchai attained prominence because of General Pallop, who appointed him as his personal driver. Apiphol said Thawatchai always visited his home in Ratchaburi on holidays to see his paralysed father. Thawatchai has a wife, Sangworn, and two daughters.
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