Nine Soldiers Say Innocent and Fight Charges

 

Pha Muang Task Force has ordered its own investigation into the alleged involvement of nine officers of the army in the deaths of 13 Chinese sailors in the Mekong River.

Commander Maj. Gen. Prakarn Chonlayuth said a number of rumors have circulated since the incident last month, but stressed that at this stage still has confidence in his men.

Maj Gen Prakarn said the nine officers have maintained their innocence and fight the charges. They surrendered to police on October 28 to recognize the charges.

Previously, Chinese police went to Thailand to lobby their counterparts in Thailand to speed up the investigation into the murder of sailors.

Earlier, army chief General Chan-ocha Prayuth urged the public not to jump to conclusions while noting that the incident was complicated.

Initial reports of the Pha Muang Task Force found that the crews of two ships flagged cargo china – Ping Yu Hua Hao Xing and 8 – were killed during an attack by a gang led by Nor Kham, a drug trafficker Shan , operating 20 kilometers into the part of Burma’s Golden Triangle, north of Chiang Saen district of Chiang Rai.

The Golden Triangle is known as a drug-producing area straddling the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos.

Reports also say that the band kidnaps Kham ships sailing the Mekong River and the demand for their protection. Those who refuse to pay are killed, and their boats seized to deliver the drugs.