A drug trafficker known by his Facebook name "Theppabut Solo" and wanted for masterminding the murder of a Khon Kaen teenager has been identified by police as Pannawit Prathum, 30, a native of Pichit.
An arrest warrant will be posted for him under his real name, Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn, commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, said on Tuesday.
He allegedly ordered his gang members to assault a 17-year-old youth, resulting in fatal injuries. The assailants recorded the beating and posted the video on social media.
Pannawit is also known as “Kokae", the leader of a drug gang whose network was raided and assets worth over 100 million baht seized in Samut Sakhon on Aug 27 last year, Pol Lt Gen Surachate said.
He allegedly ordered illicit drugs from a neighbouring country and the network sold the drugs online to young people. There were about 10 members selling drugs for Pannawit, and some were caught.
Pol Lt Gen Surachate said police investigators were preparing a request to the court for a warrant for his arrest for colluding in assault, masterminding the killing and illegal assembly.
The suspect had a criminal record. There were two previous arrest warrants for drug offences, he said.
Police at immigration checkpoints, particularly at Chiang Saen and Nong Khai checkpoints, had been alerted to keep a close watch for the suspect and his associates.
At this stage, a warrant would be issued only for Pannawit, he said.
The wanted man has already fled to Myanmar, according to media reports.