One Malaysian and two Thais have been charged with kidnapping and murdering a Malaysian businessman in Songkhla province in February.
One Malaysian and two Thais have been charged with kidnapping and murdering 60-year-old Malaysian businessman Lee His-huei in Songkhla province in February. Police say the men admitted the crime, but four other suspects remain at large. VICHAYANT BOONCHOTE
Teao Tsi-sheng, a 41-year-old Malaysian national, Somchai Nantanoi, 31, and Jane Amnatsan, 46, were presented at a press conference at Hat Yai police station yesterday.
Police said the trio admitted to colluding with four others to abduct and kill 60-year-old Lee His-huei, a businessman who worked in the seafood export industry, trading between the South and his home country.
Mr Teao, the leader of the gang, contacted Lee by phone and tricked him into flying from Malaysia to Hat Yai airport on Feb 16. On arrival in Thailand, the victim was kidnapped by the group and taken to a forest hideout in tambon Padang Besar, Sadao district, Provincial Police Region 9 deputy chief Chaovalit Sawangphuet said.
The perpetrators then contacted the victim's relatives in Malaysia to demand an 8 million baht ransom for his release.
His relatives negotiated with the gang and agreed to pay a ransom of 1.5 million baht. The money was handed over to the gang on Soi Kachorn Uthit in tambon Kuanklung, Hat Yai district. But the kidnappers failed to release the businessman after getting the cash.
The dead body of the victim was found buried on Ko Banthom in tambon Kukud, Sathing Phra district on Feb 20.
Police first apprehended Mr Somchai and Mr Jane at their respective residences. Their accounts then led to the arrest of Mr Teao at a Toyota service centre in Hat Yai district. Mr Teao is accused of masterminding the crime.
Two pickup trucks believed to have been used in the kidnapping and five mobile phones, including one belonging to the victim, were seized from the suspects.
Four accomplices remain at large and police are gathering evidence to seek warrants for their arrest, Pol Maj Gen Chaovalit said, declining to reveal their identities.
Police have charged the three with abduction leading to the death of a confined person, premeditated murder and profiting from the killing.
The suspects pleaded guilty to the charges, Pol Maj Gen Chaovalit said.