POLICE INTEND to press seven charges, including perjury and illegal association, against suspects involved in the alleged scheme to clear convicted hit-and-run driver Jomsap Saenmuangkhot.

Jomsap, a former teacher, was found guilty and jailed for causing the death of cyclist Lua Phorbumrung in Nakhon Phanom’s Renu Nakhon district and failing to stop in 2005.

She has continued to insist on her innocence, most recently by seeking a retrial. That request was rejected on November 17, when the Supreme Court concluded that it was clear someone was hired to claim responsibility for the accident in place of her.

The request was initially considered because Sap Wapi had come forward to say he was the true culprit in the accident.

Sap is now among a group of suspects who are facing charges of perjury, among other charges, over alleged efforts to clear Jomsap’s name.

This week, Sap confessed to police that he received Bt170,000 from teacher Suriya Nuancharoen to give to the Nakhon Phanom Provincial Court as compensation for the family of the victim. Suriya is a close friend of Jomsap.

Sap Wapi re-enacts yesterday what happened on the day he claimed responsibility for a fatal accident as part of a plot to clear the name of Jomsap Saenmuangkhot, a former teacher convicted and jailed for a hit-and-run incident in 2005. 

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol General Wirachai Songmetta yesterday took Sap to the court for re-enactment of the accident.

He said Sap and alleged accomplices would face seven charges: filing a false complaint with police; giving false testimony during the inquiry; giving false testimony during the stage to seek a retrial; illegal association; defaming officials; defaming groups of persons, and defaming organisations.

“We will determine how many organisations and groups of persons were defamed during these suspects’ efforts to make Jomsap look like a scapegoat,” Wirachai said.

He said that seven work panels had been set up to look into Jomsap’s case and establish all accomplices.

Sap’s wife Chan Wapi and two of their relatives surrendered at Nakhon Phanom Police headquarters yesterday to face charges.

Help Crime Victims Club’s chairman Atchariya Ruangrattanapong has called on the National Police Office to hand over what he describes as evidence about the alleged collaboration to clear Jomsap.

Atchariya said a background check on Suriya suggests he might have previously been involved in various illegal activities.

Atchariya said that 10 months ago he expressed doubts about Jomsap’s claim but ended up facing a barrage of criticism as several people were misled by the efforts made to clear Jomsap.

He said officials involved in the efforts should also be brought to justice.