Cambodia asked to arrest Phuket killer of young couple

Cambodia asked to arrest Phuket killer of young couple

Police show the pictures of nightclub operator-turned-murder suspect Panya Yingdung, 39, who is believed to be hiding in Cambodia. (Photo by Nopparat Kingkaew)
Police show the pictures of nightclub operator-turned-murder suspect Panya Yingdung, 39, who is believed to be hiding in Cambodia. (Photo by Nopparat Kingkaew)

Police have asked Cambodian authorities to arrest a Phuket nightclub operator wanted for the killing a young couple aged 20-21 as they believed the suspect was hiding in the neighbouring country.

A police source said on Friday that the Crime Suppression Division already contacted local Cambodian police and military units for the arrest of Panya Yingdung, 39, who was believed to have fled the country after shooting Paweena Namuangrak, 20, and Anantachai Jitram, 21, in Chon Buri province on July 29.

Thai police already learned that Panya, also known as Sia Uan Bangla, was hiding in Cambodia and they expected a positive response from Cambodia in the near future, the source said.

After the murder of the young couple at the parking lot of Khao Chee Chan (Buddha Mountain) in Sattahip district of Chon Buri, police detained three suspects believed to be Mr Panya's employees. The three were identified as Kiatisak Surangsaengmiboon, 35, Sayant Sisuk, 43, and Jirasak Unaiban, 34.

Media reported that one of the arrested suspects told police that Mr Panya had fired six gunshots at the young couple in a vehicle out of jealousy, killing them on the spot.

Paweena earlier worked at Mr Panya's nightclub in Phuket province. It was reported he fell for her and wanted to marry her. Violence later prompted the woman to leave him.

After the killing, Mr Panya reportedly tried to flee the country to Cambodia through the Chong Chom border crossing in Surin province but changed his mind when he saw a police checkpoint. Mr Panya then went through a natural border crossing in Sa Kaeo province. Police located Mr Panya's mobile phone in Cambodia.

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