10.14.2551

Funeral rites

Her Majesty the Queen presided over the funeral rites of a 28-year-old woman who died during last week's violence. Her Royal Highness Chulabhorn Valayalaksana also attended the rites, as did army chief Anupong Paojinda and Democrat party leaders Abhisit Vejjajiva and Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin.

The cremation took place at Wat Sriprawat in Nonthaburi's Bang Kruai district on Monday.

Thousands of people, including People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) supporters, military leaders and police officers, attended the cremation.

As Her Majesty arrived at the temple, crowds of people shouted "Long Live the Queen".

During the cremation rites, the Queen spoke to Jinda Radappanyawut, Angkhana's father.

Mr Jinda later said: "Her Majesty gave moral support to our family. Her Majesty said that Nong Bow [Angkhana's nickname] was a decent person who helped the nation and the King. Her Majesty said that His Majesty the King was informed about Nong Bow and that His Majesty had donated money to help the injured people. I am very honoured."

Angkhana's mother was not present at the cremation as she was being treated for wounds received during the clash.

When the Queen and Princess Chulabhorn left the temple after the ceremony, a melee broke out as military commanders were jostled and heckled by PAD supporters.

Security guards had to help army commander-in-chief Gen Anupong Paojinda push his way past the crowds to his car, which some PAD supporters followed and banged on.

Central Institute of Forensic Science director Porntip Rojanasunan said tests conducted on Sunday found the explosive RDX in the tear gas canisters and tear gas grenades used during the Oct 7 crackdown. The substance is used in powerful bombs.

Most of the tear gas canisters and tear gas grenades used during the Oct 7 crackdown were made in China and contained RDX, Khunying Porntip said.

She said it was found that Angkhana's fatal wound had been caused by the impact of a tear gas canister fired from a shotgun.

"I have sent all the findings to the National Human Rights Commission. It was found that the users of the tear gas did not buy them from China. But someone else supplied the tear gas to them.

"I don't know if they were ever tested before use," Khunying Porntip said.

She said police told her that Chinese-made tear gas bought in 1995 was no longer stored in the police arms depot.

Earlier on Monday, Khunying Porntip said in a radio interview that politicians had pressured police into cracking down on the PAD demonstrators.

"I received information that senior police officers had decided not to disperse the crowds. But they bowed to pressure from politicians," she said..

Khunying Porntip added that she had the details of a joint meeting assessing the damage of the crackdown, attended by concerned high-ranking officials.

She noted that firing only a few tear gas canisters would have been more than enough to disperse the crowds, instead of the hundreds used.

She also questioned why police fired new rounds of tear gas in the evening of Oct 7 when it was known injuries and deaths had resulted from such actions in the morning.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat had an audience with the King at Klai Klang Won Palace in Prachuap Khiri Khan's Hua Hin district on Monday.

Mr Somchai reported the progress on the government's work.

On his return to Don Mueang airport, Mr Somchai appeared tired, stressed and absent-minded. There were long pauses before he answered questions.

source bangkok post

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