A mentally disturbed ultraroyalist behind numerous public disturbances now faces legal jeopardy after he shouted “bomb” and sassaulted a former political figure at a weekend book fair.
At least 20 publishers said they would file complaints against Kaneshpitsanuthep “K 100 million” Chakkraphopmahadecha after he shouted that he had a “bomb” inside his bag Sunday at the national book fair held at the Queen Sirikit Convention Center. Kaneshpitsanuthep also assaulted Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, former leader of opposition Future Forward Party, as he was signing books.
The man was subdued by security guards and taken to the Lumphini Police Station.
The incident caused panic and chaos among event-goers and booksellers, according to Tipsuda Sinchawalawat, president of the Publishers and Booksellers Association.
“Some customers did not come back into the book fair again, causing most booksellers and publishers to suffer and affecting confidence in the next book fair, too,” Tipsuda said. “We’re therefore proceeding with action procedure for the man to receive the maximum penalty.”
Saying that he suffered minor bruises to his face and neck, Thanathorn said he was pressing charges against Kaneshpitsanuthep for physical assault.
Kaneshpitsanuthep, who’s called K 100 Million due to his apparent large real estate wealth, has become infamous for volatile incidents that go unpunished.
While he’s not been held to account for his past violent outbursts, national police chief Gen. Damrongsak Kittiprapas said they wouldn’t take the matter lightly, especially given that Kaneshpitsanuthep committed a crime in an “important” public space.
คนแบบนี้ทำไมไม่ถูกคุมความประพฤติไม่เข้าใจ 😠 pic.twitter.com/2gNR3OwJ77
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The convention center just reopened after a long and costly renovation and will host world leaders next month at an APEC summit.
Kaneshpitsanuthep has reportedly been diagnosed with bipolar disorder but hasn’t been admitted to a hospital.
He’s committed a number of outrageous disturbances in recent years. In 2019, he released cobras and committed self-harm in front of CentralwOrld. In February,, he poured bottles of red soda onto himself and shouted incomprehensibly as he paraded through Siam Paragon holding a framed portrait of King Vajiralongkorn. Glass he shattered injured a shopper. In May, he assaulted a 68-year-old pro-democracy activist.
The police have previously declined to prosecute the man, citing his mental condition. After Sunday’s episodes, the authorities said said they would consider holding Kaneshpitsanuthep in a secure psychiatric facility due to his repeated crimes.
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