Kamonsak Leewamoh, a Prachachat MP for Narathiwat, is reported to be unharmed after attackers opened fire on his vehicle earlier this morning (20 March).
Kamonsak was returning from Bangkok after yesterday’s parliamentary session. His vehicle was ambushed soon after he arrived home from Hat Yai Airport.
CCTV camera footage released by The Reporters show an unknown number of attackers in a white truck opening fire at the vehicle while it was stopping at Kamonsak’s house.
His driver and a police escort were reported to be seriously injured in the attack and have been taken to a hospital. The MP is unharmed as he was able to duck out of the way.
The Prachachat Party issued a statement condemning the attack as a serious breach of public peace.
Kamonsak, 58, was active as a human rights lawyer in the Deep South before he joined the Prachachat Party and ran for office in the 2019 general election. He is now in his third term in office.
As chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice, and Human Rights, Kamonsak played a prominent role in the campaign to bring officers involved in the Tak Bai Massacre to trial.
Kamonsak told BBC Thai that he does not know why he was attacked and that there were no warning signs. He said that he is leaving it up to the police to investigate the attack and that he will be more careful from now on.
Prachatai English is an independent, non-profit news outlet committed to covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite pressure from the authorities. Your support will ensure that we stay a professional media source and be able to meet the challenges and deliver in-depth reporting.
• Simple steps to support Prachatai English
1. Bank donation via the "Foundation for Community Educational Media (FCEM)", Krungthai Bank, account number 091-010-4328, Swift Code: KRTHTHBK
2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”