Gunmen attacked the house of a canvasser of a Democrat Party poll candidate in Bangkok's Bung Kum district last night

Gunmen attacked the house of a canvasser of a Democrat Party poll candidate in Bangkok's Bung Kum district last night. The attack is believed to have been politically motivated. Nobody was killed or injured, police said.

About midnight yesterday, unidentified gunmen sprayed bullets at the house of Charoen Jaesaman in Klong Rahas community on Serithai Road in Bung Kum district. The assailants escaped after the attack.

Mr Charoen is a canvasser for Panich Vikitsreth, the Constituency 16 candidate of the Democrat Party.

Mr Charoen, along with his son and his grandson, were sleeping on the second floor when the attack took place. They were unhurt, police said.

A number of spent bullet cases and an M16 ammunition magazine were found at the scene.

Meanwhile, the Royal Police Office yesterday issued a list of another 25 professional hitmen bringing the number wanted on arrest warrants to 75.

Police had previously distributed a list of 50 gunmen for hire in all regions as part of measures to prevent politically related crimes during the run-up to the July 3 general election.

National police chief Wichean Potephosree said 29 of them are hitmen who have committed many serious criminal offences in 10 provinces where election competition is expected to be tough and may involve violence. A 100,000 baht cash reward would be offered to anyone providing information leading to the arrest of each of the hitmen.

The 10 so-called "red zone" provinces are Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Chon Buri, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Roi Et, Udon Thani, Samut Prakan, and Ubon Ratchathani.

The other 46 hitmen have committed less serious crimes and a reward of 50,000 baht would be given to anyone providing tips leading to their arrest.

As for measures to provide protection to election candidates, Pol Gen Wichean said one or two police officers are usually sent to escort candidates, but more officers would be assigned to protect candidates in areas where election competition is expected to be fierce.

Pol Gen Wichean also stressed the need for police to maintain their neutrality in the election. Officers would face disciplinary action and could be transferred to inactive posts if they are found to have helped with politicians' campaigning, he said.

Pol Gen Wichean said anyone who vandalised election campaign posters would face a jail term of up to three years and/or a fine of up to 6,000 baht.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Division 5 has also offered cash rewards to anyone providing information to support a police crackdown on crime in Bangkok in the run-up to the election. Rewards will also be given to police officers who arrest criminals.

Officers at the division have agreed to pool money for rewards in a bid to reduce crime and boost police morale.

Ten thousand baht will be offered for the arrest of people involved in serious offences not related to politics. 50,000 baht in cases involving politically related serious crimes, 5,000 baht in cases of physical and sexual abuse unrelated to politics while 20,000 baht will be offered in such cases which are linked to politics.

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