Bangkok Post

The shooting occurred near Ban Khlong Dua in tambon Moosi.

Mr Chada's 27-year-old son Farut took a bullet in the head while driving a Toyota Prado car along the Khao Yai - Wang Nam Khieo road with five other passengers on board.

Pol Lt-Gen Panu said police gave weight to the possibility that there was a chase involving Farut's Prado and a Mitsubishi Strada pick-up truck.

Police chief Panu Kerdlarppol

It was possible they tried to overtake one another, flashing their highlights and leading to an exchange of gun fire.

Investigators found that shots were fired from both vehicles - a .38 handgun being fired from Farut's vehicle  and a 9mm pistol from the pick-up truck, he said.

Empty shells of the two kinds of weapons were recovered, both from inside Farut's car and from the road, he said.

Pol Lt-Gen Panu said police investigators, therefore, gave more weight to the car chase as the possible cause of the shooting that led to Farut's death.

However, politics and personal conflicts involving Mr Chada were not completely ruled out as possible motives.

Police believed there were not more than two men in the pick-up truck.

About 10 eyewitnesses to the shooting told police the pick-up truck driver then turned off his lights and fled in the direction of Wang Nam Khieo district.

Pol Lt-Gen Panu said their were five passengers in Farut's car.  Only two, who were sitting in the rear, had so far given statements to police. Police had yet to question the other three.

The one passenger sitting in the front seat beside Farut  should be able to give much more information about  what actually happened, he said.

Police investigators had contacted Mr Chada's family asking the three others make statements. They were asked to wait a few days, he said.

These three were key witnesses in the case and they should cooperate, Pol Lt-Gen Panu said.

Mr Chada attended today's House meeting as usual despite the tragic incident.