Sanan aide sought over Charnchai plot
Police confident of arresting mastermind
- Published: 9/04/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
The Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for a close aide to Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart over accusations he masterminded the alleged assassination attempt on privy councillor Charnchai Likitjitta.
Suspects in the alleged plot to assassinate privy councillor Charnchai Likitjitta at a news conference Thursday. From left, suspected gunman Sakchai sae Lim, Panupong Ratanapaiboon, Kamik Sukkanchanakas and Maj Thienchai Muangjanthuek
Police sources said two warrants were issued yesterday - one for Chakkrit Sekhanant, Maj Gen Sanan's close aide, and a man identified only as "Jack", who allegedly served as a go-between in the alleged assassination attempt.
Police launched a hunt for the two after questioning four other suspects.
Maj Gen Sanan, who is now in Japan, admitted he had asked Capt Chakkrit to work at the PM's Office during the Samak administration, a source said.
Later, Capt Chakkrit transferred back to the navy and Maj Gen Sanan no longer had any connection with him.
The four suspects were named as Thienchai Muangjanthuek, 45, Kamik Sukkanchanakas, 32, Panupong Ratanapaiboon, 32, and Sakchai sae Lim, 27.
Police told a news conference yesterday, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and national police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the assassination contract had been given to the four last month.
Maj Thienchai, an army librarian, allegedly received the contract and was paid 1.5 million baht. He was told the target was a northern businessman.
Police say he then contacted Mr Kamik to find a gunman and offered him 500,000 baht.
Mr Kamik passed the contract to Mr Panupong who in turn asked Mr Sakchai to shoot Mr Charnchai in exchange for 40,000 baht. Mr Panupong and Mr Sakchai are motorcycle taxi drivers at Wat Laksi in Bangkok.
Police said Mr Panupong met Mr Kamik in Pathum Thani on March 31 and received a gun. He was given Mr Chanchai's photo the next day and later 38-calibre bullets by Maj Thienchai.
An illegal revolver, six hollow-point bullets and four ordinary bullets were shown to the news conference yesterday.
Police said Mr Panupong and Mr Sakchai went to Mr Charnchai's house on April 4 to kill him. They retreated because police were on duty nearby.
The next day, the men returned but again backed away because of police, it was alleged.
As they left, police at a checkpoint in the Prachachuen area seized their motorcycle as it did not have a licence plate. Interrogation uncovered the assassination plot and led to the arrest of Mr Kamik and Maj Thienchai.
Sources said Maj Thienchai allegedly received the contract from Capt Chakkrit through someone called "Jack".
Mr Suthep and Pol Gen Patcharawat insisted the assassination plot was real.
Provincial Police Region 1 commissioner Pol Lt Gen Chalong Sonjai said there was evidence to nail the mastermind of the alleged plot.
About the author
- Writer: WASSAYOS NGAMKHAM
