Somyot orders further probe into Tiwaphan killing

Somyot orders further probe into Tiwaphan killing

Khemathat Lertlakhanakul apologises to relatives of Tiwaphan Pao-in who was recently shot dead, at the crime scene in front of the victim's house on Monday. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
Khemathat Lertlakhanakul apologises to relatives of Tiwaphan Pao-in who was recently shot dead, at the crime scene in front of the victim's house on Monday. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

National police chief Somyot Pumpunmuang told investigators to reopen the case of the murder of a national politician’s nephew, saying he doubted the suspect arrested had the skills to pull off the killing.

Pol Gen Somyot on Monday criticised Provincial Police Region 1 for holding a press conference naming Khemathat Lertlakhanakul as the confessed killer of Tiwaphan Pao-in, 31.

The nephew of Pheu Thai Party acting leader Virote Pao-in, Tiwaphan was shot three times in the chest while holding his 2-year-old daughter in front of his house on Ngam Wong Wan 9 Road at about 2am on May 1.

In a staged re-enactment in Nonthaburi province on Monday, Mr Khemathat said he shot Mr Tiwaphan with an M16 rifle because the victim refused to pay him 4 million baht for his past service in debt collection and vehicle sales.

Pol Gen Somyot, however, said he doubted Mr Khemathat was capable of the precise shooting and speculated it actually was the work of a skilled sniper.

The regional police office should have completed its investigation first, the police chief said, adding that he ordered commander Amnuay Nimmano to review the investigation.

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