Mr Wutipong, the municipality’s chief administrative officer, was attacked by Montien Homsanit, 35, of Chantaburi, who told officers his actions had been prompted by vile behaviour on the aprt of the palad.
Montien entered Mr Wutipong’s office and threw a large soft-drink container of bathroom cleaner in the palad’s face, then hit him repeatedly with his fists, also punching the palad’s secretary when she tried to aid her boss.
It now appears that Montien, who said he came to Phuket from Chantaburi by bus the day before especially to carry out the attack, did not know Mr Wutipong. Nor have the supposed characters in Montien's story been identified.
To emphasize the point, Mr Wutipong has filed a libel complaint against Montien with Chalong police and insists he will sue anyone else who “spreads rumours about my having relations with another woman”.
The palad says he believes the attack may have its origins closer to home – in the municipal offices. The day of the attack, he alluded to sour relations between him and “someone” who disagreed with changes Wutipong made to working conditions at the offices.
On Thursday he revealed more, saying that the changes he initiated – and warnings issued to those whose performance was “lacking in many areas” – had prompted a violent argument during a meeting of the municipal government’s managers four days before the attack.
“That’s what lay behind the attack,” he said, “and it is a matter of no little concern among my staff to discover that the perpetrator of Wednesday’s attack is the same person who carried out a frightening crime in Samut Prakarn. We no longer feel safe.
It was not reported what crime Montien is charged with in Samut Prakarn, if any.
Mr Wutipong continued, “For that reason we are requesting a committee be appointed to investigate the dispute.” That, he said, is only fair to him and the municipal staff, who will otherwise be afraid to go on working.
Mr Wutipong’s petition was received by provincial deputy governor (also known as palad) Chaiwat Taepi on behalf of recently appointed Phuket Governor Maitri Intusut, who will arrive in Phuket on Monday (October 8) to take up his official duties. – Source: SiangTai