A professional hitman and convicted murderer high on the police most-wanted list was arrested on Thursday in Bangkok’s Lat Krabang district after 15 years on the run.
Chaiyant Intharawichit, 52, was caught at the entrance of Soi Sriyoo off Thap Yao Road in Lat Krabang district by a team of Crime Suppression Division police.
The suspect, ranked first on Nakhon Si Thammarat police’s most wanted list, has two outstanding warrants issued by Thung Song and Nakhon Si Thammarat provincial courts on Aug 24, 2001 and on March 14 this year, over murder charges, said Pol Maj Gen Charn Wimolsri, acting CSD commander during a media briefing at the CSD headquarters on Thursday.
Mr Chaiyant had colluded with two other associates in the killing of Hiran Thongjeensang in Ron Phibun district of Nakhon Si Thammarat in 1998. He was caught and a lower court sentenced him to death. He fled after being released on bail.
In 2010, it was alleged he colluded with three other suspects in the shooting death of Suriya Mukkhawat, an influential figure in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Lan Saka district. The victim was gunned down at his house.
Another court warrant was issued for his arrest.
While on the run, the suspect was accused of committing another crime by gunning down Somporn Mukkhawat, the father of Suriya, at a coffee shop in Lan Saka.
Officers from CSD’s sub-division 5 had obtained information that the hitman was in hiding in Lat Krabang district. Police then kept a close watch for him. The suspect was caught while driving a Mercedes Benz at Soi Sriyoo in Lat Krabang area.
During interrogation, Mr Chaiyant denied all charges. But police claim they have obtained evidence that he was held responsible for a string of crimes in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
In Phetchaburi, another hitman wanted by local police and two other people were arrested on Wednesday in Tha Yang district on drug charges.
Pitchayaphusit, alias Yodying, Yiewprayoon, 51, top of Tha Yang police’s most wanted list, was caught along with Puwachai Khachana, 29, and Panadda Jattupornpong, 27, during a police raid on a rented apartment room in Tha Yang district, said Pol Maj Gen Surapong Chaichan, chief of Phetchaburi police during a media briefing on Wednesday.
Some crystal methamphetamine, 48 speed pills, a pistol and 37 bullets were found in their room.
The three have been charged with having illicit drugs in their possession with intent to sell. They have denied the charges.
Pol Maj Gen Surapong alleged Mr Pitchayaphusit had been involved in several murders and attempted murders, but he had won the court battles.
A police investigation claimed Mr Pitchayaphusit was involved in the illicit drug trade in Phetchaburi.