Three suspects, including the alleged mastermind, in the murder of a 72-year-old Muslim man in Phuket have been arrested in separate raids in three provinces, police announced on Friday.
The trio – Thiab Nunueng, Suthin Meanpran and Arthit Sanlee – were taken to a police press conference at Phuket police station on Friday.
Police also seized 17 items - a pickup truck with a Phuket licence plate, nine mobile phones, a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol, an ammunition magazine, two rifles and two motorcycles.
Mr Thiab has been charged with masterminding the killing, colluding in the murder, and illegal possession of firearms. Mr Suthin and Mr Arthit have been charged with colluding in the murder, illegal possession of firearms and carrying them illegally in public areas.
The arrests followed the murder of Ied Chaisit, 72, a resident of Phuket’s Kathu district on April 24, Pol Maj Gen Patchara Boonyasit, chief of Phuket police, said during the press conference.
The elderly Muslim man was travelling on a motorcycle on his way home from a mosque in Patong when he was attacked by two men on a motorcycle. The pillion gunman fired four shots at him, hitting him in the body.
However, the wounds did not stop Mr Ied, who continued riding his bike to seek help. He was found unconscious at the entrance of his house and was rushed to Patong Hospital, where he later died.
Police investigators found evidence implicating the three suspects, said Pol Maj Gen Patchara.
Mr Suthin, who allegedly drove the motorcycle for the gunman, was apprehended on Koh Chang island in eastern Trat province. Mr Arthit, the alleged pillion gunman, was arrested in tambon Sri Sunthon in Thalang district of Phuket, while Mr Thiab was caught in Trang province.
Criminal records showed Mr Thiab had been wanted on an arrest warrant for the murder of another man in Kathu district, but prosecutors decided not to indict him. There was also an arrest warrant out for him for trading in illicit drugs.
Police said the murder was motivated by personal conflict over the rental of land, and illegal drugs.
Mr Thiap had rented a block of land from Mr Ied for 15 years for 2,000 baht a month. He had been asked to vacate the land three months before the murder. This angered him and he threatened to kill the landlord.
Later, his assistants had been caught with 10kg of kratom leaves, a mild stimulant. Mr Thiap thought Mr Ied had given information to police and this had led to the arrests. He then hired the gunman to kill him, according to police.