A Stalled Investigation – Parliament Questions Progress in MP Kamlasak's Shooting Case
Investigation into the shooting of Narathiwat MP Kamlasak has stalled after seven suspects were arrested, with the case failing to progress beyond identifying alleged masterminds believed to be high-ranking government or military officials.
As expected, the case involving an armed gunman with a government vehicle allegedly linked to security officials who shot at Kamlasak Leewamoh, a Narathiwat MP from the Pracharaj Party, has suddenly gone quiet.
Until Pol. Col. Thawi Sodsong, Pracharaj Party leader, and victim MP Kamlasak were forced to periodically demand updates on the investigation's progress.
Because the case appeared to be moving forward smoothly, with five members of the hit squad arrested, followed by two additional suspects arrested for allegedly supplying weapons and the government vehicle used in the crime. But once all seven suspects were identified, the case stalled—never reaching the alleged masterminds or those who hired the killers.
It's notable that suspects six and seven are current government officials—naval officers with the ranks of Rear Admiral and Captain. These two officers surrendered and acknowledged charges in early May, after which the case came to a complete standstill.
By late May, Pol. Col. Thawi and MP Kamlasak filed a complaint with Parliament's National Security Committee, requesting assistance in expediting the investigation. They emphasized that this case isn't merely a personal matter for one MP, but rather a reflection of the entire southern border security problem.
Having to rely on a parliamentary committee to push the case forward suggests the investigation has stalled. The prosecution has proceeded only against the five-member hit squad and two military officers as accomplices—out of seven total suspects. It raises the critical question: who gave the orders, and who paid for the assassination?
It's not hard to guess why. The investigation and arrests began with the five gunmen, many of them former commandos and former Rangers, all with military backgrounds. When pressure came from the MP victim, who provided evidence, investigators were forced to charge the Rear Admiral and Captain. But when it came to higher-ranking officials, it's predictable that investigating officers would face resistance, causing the case to stall.
Like many other cases, once investigations reach powerful government figures—whether in the security apparatus or military—the case becomes stuck and fails to progress. But the question remains: will we ever see true justice?
If investigations must slow because they've reached powerful government officials, military security agencies, or the armed forces, then the process cannot possibly be fair or just.
Don't forget that the victim's side includes Pol. Col. Thawi, a former high-ranking investigator from an anti-crime unit. With someone like him pushing hard, there's no way this pressure will ease up.
