Vivat Yodprasert re-enacts the events of Feb. 2 for police today. Photo: JS100 Radio
After being lionized by protesters and leader Suthep Thaugsuban as the “popcorn warrior,” a man accused of firing an automatic rifle into a crowded public street re-enacted the incident today for police.
Vivat Yodprasert, 24 of Phitsanulok, told police on Feb. 2 he was instructed by radio to drive away government supporters and protect Luang Pu Buddha Issara and as the firebrand monk seized the polling station in Lak Si district. Vivat said the M16 rifle had been given to him the previous day by another guard.
Vivat said he was paid THB300 each day to provide security for anti-government protesters.
After the incident, when photographs posted online identified him as the shooter, Vivat went into hiding.
Authorities have charged him with attempted murder, posession and wielding of a weapon in a public place and violation of the emergency decree, Thai PBS reported.
An anti-government protester shoots into a crowd of pro-government supporters with an automatic weapon hidden in a bag in the Lak Si district on Feb. 2. Photo: KC Ortiz/AFP
