Prawit rejects link of weapons theft to ‘Khon Kaen Model’

The “Khon Kaen Model” was believed to be active in the Northeast during the 2010 political unrest and 26 individuals were arrested in Khon Kaen province.
Prawit said people should not jump to conclusions as this could affect the case as well as some suspects who have no connection to the model. 
“It’s not a good thing to speculate without any clear evidence to back it up. We need to wait for clearer evidence before reaching a conclusion,” Prawit said. 
Military officers from the 11th Military Circle yesterday detained 11 suspects they believed to be involved in the robbery of guns and some explosive devices, including RPG launchers, from the Border Patrol Police Sub Division 24 in Udon Thani province.
Initial interrogation of the four suspects, who include former and incumbent border police patrol officers, revealed that the guns and devices were stolen from the division on several occasions since 2007. These weapons were then allegedly sold to minority groups along the Thai-Myanmar border as well as to groups in Laos at Bt10,000 to Bt20,000 per item.
The suspects have been initially charged with violating the Guns and Ammunitions Act and deputy national police chief Pol General Sriwara Rangsipramanakul has been assigned to the case.
Prawit said that though there were some moves to instigate unrest in the Northeast, especially during the height of the 2010 political conflict, things have calmed down since then as people concerned have entered the legal process and the government has initiated reconciliation measures. During the “Khon Kaen Model” military court trials for the 26 individuals in late 2014, the suspects denied all charges, including having a hand in terrorist plots. 
At a press conference in late May, Maj-General Thawat Sookplang – deputy commander of the Second Army Area at the time – claimed that the group had a four-step mobilisation model for uprising. The first was to mobilise as many people as possible; get these people to disarm security officials; get into negotiations with the military; and finally raid financial institutions and distribute money among the poor in a Robin Hood-style operation. 
He also claimed that if the “Khon Kaen Model” had been successful, similar operations were to be held in the North. 
The suspects were said to come from all walks of life – ranging from a school director and local politician, to farmers and vendors. Most were above the age of 50, with the oldest being 72. Also many had chronic health problems such as gout, diabetes and high-blood pressure.