The 20 police officers on the raid had an arrest warrant for Padungsak Songyos on a charge of issuing a bad cheque.
They did not, however, have a search warrant. Instead, they cited martial law as justification for attempting to break down the front door of the home in the Songyos family compound in Moo 7, Srisoonthorn.
Hathairat Songyos, sister of Mr Padungsak and Mr Worawut, told The Phuket News, “At that time [at 7pm], only my mother and a six-year-old child were in the house.
“They were in the back of house, and did not hear the police demands that they open up.”
Ms Hathairat herself was not at home, but said, “A neighbour called me about it and I asked them to tell the police that I would be there shortly.
“But the police rejected my request that they wait. They tried to break through the door, claiming that, under martial law, police have the authority to do that.
“In the event they could not get through the metal gate on the door,” she said.
She alleged that police told neighbours of the Songyos family that they had come with an arrest warrant on drug charges. “I was very upset that they told our neighbours that,” she added.
Mayor Worawut told the Governor that the family felt scared and threatened, especially because they knew that the officer leading the raid, Lt Col Sommai Onkum of Cherng Talay Police, is well known as a marksman.
“We have babies in houses around that area. I am concerned about our security,” the mayor said. “I’m not sure whether this action – taking place at night – might be over the top for a bounced cheque case. I would like Phuket officials to investigate it.”
Governor Nisit Jansomwong told the crowd, “Please trust that Phuket officials will not ignore this case. We will take action by assigning an impartial person to investigate the incident as soon as possible.
“This will done within 15 days and I will inform Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit about your security concerns,” he added.
“If something related to safety happens to you, I will take responsibility for it,” he said.
A few minutes later Pol Col Witoon Gongsudjai, representing Gen Patchara, also came to meet the villagers to accept a copy of the letter.
He told them, “I can’t make any statement at this stage – I have to read the letter first. But for sure the police will investigate this matter as requested.”