Investigators are not convinced the murder of former national sports shooter Jakkrit Panichpatikum was linked to the amulet trade.
Nitiwadee Pucharoenyos, wife of former national sports shooter Jakkrit Panichpatikum, cries at her husband’s cremation ceremony at Wat Prasri Mahathat in Bang Khen district yesterday. APICHIT JINAKUL
Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) chief Kamronwit Thoopkrachang was commenting on the issue after MPB investigators summoned almost 10 amulet traders who were involved in trade deals with Jakkrit for questioning yesterday.
The police probe revealed Jakkrit stayed with amulet traders in Nakhon Pathom province for almost a month after being granted bail after he was charged in July for attacking and threatening his wife and his mother.
Jakkrit was found to have stayed with amulet dealer Sunthorn Boonthaweewat for three weeks.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit said Mr Sunthorn told him Jakkrit helped make amulet deals with many friends there, adding that Jakkrit made a great deal of money from it. Jakkrit, however, did not offer any reason to Mr Sunthorn as to why he had to flee to stay with him in Nakhon Pathom, he said.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit said Jakkrit's wife, Nitiwadee Pucharoenyos, yesterday cooperated with investigators and opened a safe deposit box at a bank.
Only amulets were found inside.
"They [amulets] were all purchased and that is unlikely to suggest any conflicts," Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit said. Investigators will decide today whether to rule out the amulet trade as part of the murder motive, he added.
Investigations into family conflict as a motive were also under way, Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit said, adding that Jakkrit's relatives will be summoned for questioning after his funeral. Jakkrit was cremated yesterday.
Police also received reports about adultery and said such issues will also be investigated, he said.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit confirmed Dr Nitiwadee had hired four air force personnel to protect her.
Investigators will look into their hiring contracts, he said.
He said the case was not complicated but police had found it difficult to find evidence leading to the arrest of a killer.
Pol Lt Col Rathawit Saenthaweesuk, an Anti-Human Trafficking Division inspector, yesterday dismissed reports he had an affair with Dr Nitiwadee and wanted to steal Jakkrit's valuables.
A letter written by Jakkrit, leaked to the public yesterday, suggested Pol Lt Col Rathawit (who has changed his first name from Kraiwit) wanted to take his valuables. Jakkrit had sent this letter to a phuyai (respected senior figure).
Pol Lt Col Rathawit said he had known Dr Nitiwadee for six years, and she sought his advice on every issue.
Pol Lt Col Rathawit said Jakkrit was found to have suffered from bipolar disorder.
Once Jakkrit was detained, Pol Lt Col Rathawit said he helped him find a lawyer and brought a title deed to secure his bail.