BANGKOK, March 25 – An M-79 grenade attack at the headquarters of Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) last night was to intentionally threaten the work of its officials, said the anti-graft agency chief on Tuesday.
NACC secretary-general Sansern Poljiak commented following the firing of M-79 grenades at the agency’s head office on Sanambin Nam Road in Nonthaburi province lastnight.
Although the explosion caused no injuries, Mr Sansern said it was a symbolic move to intimidate the NACC staff, to influence their work. He admitted that the attack hit the officials’ morale and causes them to be concerned for their safety.
Mr Sansern said NACC workers still came to work as normally, but a new office is being prepared for the NACC commissioners to avoid any confrontation with protesters of the Radio Media for Democracy Group who still blocked the NACC entrance.
The NACC chief admitted that the threat might delay the agency’s work, adding that the agency has asked police and the military to step up security measures there.
Mr Sansern reaffirmed that the NACC has maintained neutral and considered every case with factual evidence.
Deputy national police chief POl Gen Ake Angsananont said three M-79 grenades were shot, two of them falling into the two building compound of the NACC, while another landed at the nearby Government Lottery Office.
He said an investigation is now underway to find linkage with other M-79 attacks during this period. He believes that the incident is meant to intimidate the NACC commissioners who are now considering many important cases.
Pol Gen Ake expressed regret that the country’s independent agencies, including the NACC, have become victims of grenade attacks despite tight police security.
He said that police will be dispatched to guard the NACC commissioners at their homes as well.
