The leader of the newly established New Alternative Party has asked national police chief Chakthip Chaijinda to speed up a probe into the suspected murder of its election candidate, allegedly by a local gang that wields considerable influence in the area.
Phrao Bappan, who was to run for the party in Mukdahan in the Feb 24 general election, was shot dead on Dec 27 while investigating a corruption case which he believed involved local politicians and state officials.
Party member Rachen Trakunwiang said he suspects he knows who masterminded the murder as Phrao was killed midway through his investigation, which had made him a target.
Phrao, 55, had told his family that if he died, it would likely be at the hands of gang members, according to Mr Rachen.
He claimed to have finished gathering evidence to back his suspicions and had passed it along to local police.
Phrao gave the officers seven days to confirm his findings. If they made no progress, he had vowed to contact the media, Mr Rachen said.
Pol Gen Chakthip said he has ordered the Crime Suppression Division to look into the case.
However, Mr Rachen expressed concern the case would not be handled fairly.
As such, he travelled to Royal Thai Police headquarters to hand the national police chief a petition.
Pol Col Narin Khamkaen, deputy chief for foreign affairs, accepted the petition on Pol Gen Chakthip's behalf.
The New Alternative Party, or thang lueak mai, registered with the Election Commission in March.
It planned to field Phrao in the northern province of Mukdahan in the belief that he stood a competitive chance versus candidates from other parties.