Former MP facing murder charge to face fine for smoking

The Department of Disease Control will fine former Nonthaburi MP Chalong Riewraeng 5,000 baht for smoking in a government office and fine Rattanathibet police station 3,000 baht for allowing the former MP to smoke in a public building without intervention.

Yutthana Homkate, a public health expert attached to the Nonthaburi Provincial Health Office, and officials from the Department of Disease Control are on their way to the police station to inform the officers concerned about the fines imposed on Chalong and the police station.

Yutthana said there was clear evidence that Chalong had smoked inside the police station, in violation of the law.

Chalong was seen smoking a cigarette in front of the media inside the police station after he was taken there from the crime scene at the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation following the fatal shooting of mayor Thongchai Yenprasert yesterday. Thongchai's driver was also shot and wounded.

Pol Lt-Gen Wattana Yeejeen, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 1, admitted that he allowed Chalong to smoke in the interrogation room to relieve stress, while insisting that he had not given the suspect any special privileges.

Today, the Nonthaburi Provincial Court ordered the 71-year-old former MP to be detained at the provincial prison pending the conclusion of the police investigation. The court rejected his bail application, as recommended by police, to prevent him from fleeing.