Chief denies links to slain policewoman

Chief denies links to slain policewoman

Police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang is being asked how well he knew his former aide Pol Sgt Napaphat Nuan-ied, now the victim in an apparent murder-suicide, and his reply is
Police chief Pol Gen Somyot Pumpunmuang is being asked how well he knew his former aide Pol Sgt Napaphat Nuan-ied, now the victim in an apparent murder-suicide, and his reply is "not really well".

National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang dismissed rumours on Sunday he had an affair with a murdered female subordinate.

He said he learned about the discovery of the policewoman's body from the media on Friday evening, insisting he had not ordered anyone to cover up the death.

The blood-soaked body of Pol Sgt Napaphat Nuan-ied was found on Friday morning at a room she shared with her husband, Pol Sgt Natthapong Nuan-ied, in the Thung Song Hong area of Lak Si district in Bangkok.

Police suspect she was murdered by her husband.

The body of the husband, meanwhile, was found the next day hanging from a tree on the median strip between kilometre markers 84 and 85 of Mittraphap Road, in front of the Lam Takhong reservoir in tambon Nong Sarai of Pak Chong district in Nakhon Ratchasima.

Pol Gen Somyot's business card was found pinned to a nearby tree by a knife.

Pol Gen Somyot said he didn't have a close relationship with Pol Sgt Napaphat, who had been transferred to work at the office of the national police chief from the Border Patrol Police Bureau (BPPB).

He said everyone at his office knows he tends not to speak to female police officers and he has never been tempted to have an an affair with a subordinate.

Pol Gen Somyot said his name card could have been left at the scene to show a grudge the deceased had against him because of an upcoming police reshuffle. 

Pol Sgt Natthapong used to be his aide when he was a deputy national police chief, said Pol Gen Somyot.

He said the officer had once asked him to help transfer his father from the BPPB to Samut Songkhram and transfer his wife to be with him.

But after receiving a report showing Pol Sgt Natthapong's poor behaviour, Pol Gen Somyot said he decided to transfer him back to the BPPB and the officer seemed to understand the decision.

About a fortnight ago, Pol Sgt Napaphat asked to be transferred along with her husband to Uthai Thani province, but the request was still pending approval, said Pol Gen Somyot.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (6)