Police have charged two marines, Lt. Commander Montri and Lt. Decho, with premeditated attempted murder in the shooting case of MP Kamonsak. They were detained and a petition was filed to the court to issue a detention order during the investigation, opposing bail due to flight risk concerns. Recently, the court granted bail at 200,000 baht each.
At 10:00 on 5 May 2026, Police Major General Tharet Kaewliad, Deputy Commander of the Provincial Police Region 9, arrived at the Narathiwat Provincial Police Headquarters meeting room to jointly interrogate with investigators. This followed Lt. Commander Montri Tobprasert, Head of Personnel Administration and Logistics Group of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) in Narathiwat, who lent a vehicle to Staff Sergeant Viroj Ketumanee used in the incident, being under disciplinary investigation by his unit. MP Kamonsak Liwamo, representing Narathiwat's 5th district from the Prachachart Party, filed additional complaints against both soldiers, including Lt. Decho Rattanapan, a marine intelligence officer, accusing them of hiring, masterminding, or supporting attempted murder. They came to meet investigators as scheduled.
Reporters noted that Lt. Commander Montri arrived accompanied by his lawyer, dressed in a khaki marine officer uniform. Lt. Decho Rattanapan was not seen at that time. After interrogation, investigators will formally press charges. According to procedure, those meeting investigators can request temporary release at this stage. However, given the case's seriousness, investigators are expected to seek detention warrants from Narathiwat Provincial Court to consider bail eligibility, assessing whether suspects might interfere with the case or flee.
This was the first summons appearance for Lt. Commander Montri, with no arrest warrant issued yet, making temporary release likely. This marks his first public appearance since the shooting of MP Kamonsak on 20 March 2026. The victim has urged police to examine ten phone numbers believed to link the shooting team with the masterminds.
Meanwhile, Lt. Decho, also summoned and scheduled to report alongside Lt. Commander Montri, had not appeared by noon. If he fails to appear as ordered, investigators will consider issuing a second summons or possibly an arrest warrant, pending further confirmation.
At 14:30, in the Narathiwat Provincial Police Headquarters meeting room, Lt. Decho Rattanapan arrived discreetly, avoiding reporters, to report to Police Major General Prayong Khot Sakha, Commander of Narathiwat Provincial Police, as summoned. Investigators from Narathiwat Police and Provincial Police Region 9 separately interrogated the two officers in different rooms, based on gathered evidence.
The interrogation of both men lasted over five hours. Both denied all charges, with their military lawyers present. After questioning, investigators formally charged them with premeditated attempted murder support and requested detention from Narathiwat Provincial Court. Police opposed bail.
Later, Police Major General Prayong stated that the charges of supporting premeditated attempted murder are based on police-collected evidence, not solely on complaints by MP Kamonsak Liwamo, the victim and Prachachart Party MP.
Both suspects denied all allegations. Police opposed bail because although they initially appeared voluntarily without signs of fleeing, after charges were filed, investigators believe they may flee, thus opposing bail. The suspects retain the right to apply for bail.
The two soldiers were then taken away in a police van, wearing helmets and black face masks, refusing to answer reporters' questions. During interrogation, they denied all allegations. Their lawyers requested bail set at 200,000 baht each.
Police Major General Prayong further explained that the suspects maintain their innocence, denying knowledge of the perpetrators' wrongdoing. However, police have sufficient evidence to press charges, including key phone evidence MP Kamonsak requested to be examined. Police affirm they act according to their duties and, if further evidence linking to hiring is found, additional charges can be filed.
Additionally, Police Major General Prayong said both suspects appeared as summoned since 30 April. Authorities charged them with "supporting premeditated attempted murder." During interrogation, both denied all charges and intend to contest the case through legal processes.
Regarding custody, the Narathiwat Police Commander explained that although the suspects initially complied with summons and showed no flight behavior, after charges were filed, investigators deemed it necessary to petition the court for detention during the investigation, fearing possible future flight risk.
"We have conducted our duties and continuously gathered evidence until confident enough to file charges," he said.
Regarding the additional complaint filed by MP Kamonsak, the commander said it is part of the process but emphasized that police proceed based on all collected evidence, not just complaints. He denied any withholding of information or favoritism as suggested in media reports.
Police Major General Prayong concluded that if the investigation expands to include the person who ordered the crime or uncovers further evidence linking others, legal action will be taken thoroughly and without exception, ensuring fairness for all parties.
Reporters noted that the Narathiwat Provincial Court recently granted temporary release for Lt. Commander Montri and Lt. Decho, setting bail at 200,000 baht each.