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RACE TO PARLIAMENT ASSAWIN PAKKAWAN
Manit Pichitbanjong, 45, was shot in broad daylight in downtown Phatthalung, said Niphit Intarasombat, the Democrat candidate in the province.
He was killed by a gunman on a motorcycle as he stopped his car to meet a friend at a shop on Tamnan-Ban Tora road.
"Some areas in Phatthalung tend to be more violent than others. We don't know who the next victim will be," said Mr Niphit.
Phattalung is a province in the Democrat-dominated South. The murder has raised fears of escalating violence in the build-up to the Dec 23 general election. Mr Niphit asked police to boost security.
Phatthalung police chief Kitisan Detsuntornwat said investigators suspected Manit was killed because of a construction site conflict.
His wife told police he was to meet contractors to discuss unsettled wages for workers.
However, Pol Maj-Gen Kitisan said a political motive could not be discounted.
In Prachuap Khiri Khan, Prachamati candidate Supot Pisutsiang, 59, was stabbed to death at a guesthouse in Bang Saphan district. Supot was found naked, still wearing a condom.
His belongings, including a bag containing 50,000 baht cash, a gold necklace and a car, were missing.
Police said Supot, a rubber planter, was seen taking a woman to Benjawan guesthouse about 11.30am.
He was found dead about an hour later. Police are tracing the woman.
Investigators said the motive was most probably robbery rather than politically-related. They did not think an election conflict was behind the killing.
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