A provincial councillor has been arrested in connection with the murder of a former deputy secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) last month.
Suwat Pol-udom, a Ratchaburi provincial councillor in Ban Phong district, arrested on Friday on a murder charge. (Photo by Saichon Srinuanchan)
Suwat Pol-udom, 32, a Ratchaburi provincial councillor for Ban Phong district, was apprehended on charges of colluding in the murder, attempted murder and illegal possession of weapons early Friday morning, police said. Two pistols were also seized from him.
Mr Suwat was wanted on a court arrest warrant for the murder of retired Pol Col Vitoon Promprawat in Ban Phong district on Nov 27. He denied all charges.
Vitoon, 78, a former deputy secretary-general of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, suffered multiple wounds to the abdomen and side caused by bullets fired from 9mm and 11mm calibre weapons as he drove on Ban Phong-Khung Payom Road in tambon Khung Payom.
He died at the scene. His maid and a passer-by were also injured.
Witnesses said a number of gunmen in another vehicle fired at least 20 bullets at his car. Vitoon and his maid were on their way to the district office when they were attacked.
Pol Lt Gen Veerapong Chuenpakdi, chief of the Provincial Police Region 7, said police have evidence implicating Mr Suwat in the murder. A court reviewed the evidence and issued an arrest warrant.
Several accomplices to the slaying were still being sought, he added.
Police were investigating the motive for the murder.