Quote:Policemen linked to international kidnap gang

The Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau has dismissed three of its officers for allegedly collaborating with American suspects in the kidnap for ransom of a 47-year-old American oil trader.

Adisorn Nonsi, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the inquiry team found several suspects were involved in the abduction of Mark Hutchison on April 7.

Three of the suspects are metropolitan police officers. The bureau has taken disciplinary action against them by dismissing them from the police service as they have been charged with serious criminal offences, said Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn.

He said the three officers were alleged to have used firearms in the kidnapping of Mr Hutchison.

If found guilty, they could be sentenced to death or life imprisonment.

The three officers are Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Adul Onsri, Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Surachat Muangkhunrong and Pol Sgt Sathit Praphanphaengsri.

In addition to the disciplinary action against the three, Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn also ordered the setting up of inquiry committees to investigate their immediate supervisors to find out whether they had neglected their responsibility to keep their subordinates in line.

Two other police officers suspected of involvement in the abduction are Pol Lt-Col Thanapol Bunnak, an inspector at the Immigration Police Bureau, and Pol L/C Prasertphan Phunarit.

Three other suspects are American siblings John and Jame McKelly, and Nicolas Phruksukan, a 26-year-old Thai-American.

According to Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn, the investigation team has already arrested four of the suspects - Pol Snr Sgt-Maj Surachat, Pol Sgt Sathit, Pol L/C Prasertphan and Mr Nicolas. The rest are still at large. The arrested suspects have not been allowed bail.

Pol Lt-Gen Adisorn said the United States embassy has informed him that the two American siblings are part of a kidnap gang in the US and are also wanted by US authorities.

On April 7, Mr Hutchison's relatives alerted police that he had been kidnapped from his residence in the Lumpini area. The kidnappers also snatched US$400,000 in cash from his residence. They later demanded another US$800,000 in ransom.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau's Arintharat commandos on Thursday rescued Mr Hutchison from the gang's hideout at a house on Soi Lat Phrao 41.

The commando unit also arrested four suspects found at the house.