CHIANG RAI: Arrest warrants have been issued for four suspects in the last month's ambush of a Hmong leader and his family in which his wife and 5-year-old daughter were fatally shot.
Thaweesak Yodmaneebanphot, kamnan of tambon Por in Wiang Kaen district of Chiang Rai is also chairman of the Hmong Club in Thailand.
He, his wife and two young children were attacked by gunmen as they were returning home from their farm on the evening of April 24.
Pol Lt Gen Poonsap Prasertsak, commander of the Provincial Police Region 5 said on Friday Mr Thaweeksak had provided information to police about the smuggling of 9 million methamphetamine pills prior to the ambush.
Warrants had already been approved for four suspects in the attack. One of them was Chumphon Yodmaneebanphot, who had links with the drug trade, Pol Lt Gen Poonsap said.
The ambush occurred on Ban Rom Fa Thong-Ban Pha Tang Road in tambon Por around 5pm on April 24 as Mr Thaweek, 54, was taking his wife and children home in his pickup truck.
His wife Maiyia Wongnapapaisal, 40, and their 5-year-old daughter Thanyaporn were hit by bullets and died at the scene. Mr Thaweesak and son Chaimongkol, 3, were both severely wounded.
The attack was well-planned. Evidence was still being gathered and those believed involved were being tracked down, Pol Lt Gen Poonsap said.
Mr Thaweesak had been discharged from hospital and was staying in a safe place, he added.