Spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvaree said on Wednesday that the Army’s chief General Chalermchai Sittisart had ordered the Third Army Area to probe into how Chaiyapoom Pasae was shot dead at a checkpoint in Chiang Mai province last Friday.

The Third Army Area has set up a fact-finding panel, which is chaired by its deputy chief Maj General Sompong Chaengchamras.

Winthai urged the public not to rush to any conclusions ahead of the result of the probe.

“Some say it’s not possible for the young activist to engage in drugs. But some others point out drug cases in the past reveal people of any background may associate themselves with drugs,” Winthai said.