The three prime suspects wanted for the murder of a lawyer and land rights activist in Trang are being questioned by the police, it was announced yesterday.
Somsak Onchuenjit, 54, was found dead at a rubber plantation in Ban Huai Kot in Trang's Wang Wiset district on May 4. It was said that he was killed by a hitman who had disguised himself as a gardener.
As a result of the investigation, Pol Col Pongpanot Chukaew, superintendent of Crime Suppression Division's (CSD) sub-division 6, led officers from his team, provincial police and the Hanuman task force in raiding 10 locations across the province.
At a house in tambon Khao Wiset, police apprehended the alleged hitman, Chalermwut Nokroorak, a former village head who had just been released from prison two years ago for another crime in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Police also found a .357 Magnum revolver, some ammunition, along with 10 other people -- including Charinrat Krutthirat, mayor of Wang Wiset municipality, and Saranyoo Kueboonsong, who were also wanted by the police for their alleged roles in the murder.
They were taken into custody and interrogated at Trang Provincial Police's Investigation Division.