NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A police deputy superintendent accused of collusion in the murder of a married couple and wounding of their young son has been dismissed from the force and faces criminal and police disciplinary charges.
Nakhon Si Thammarat police chief Pol Maj Gen Somchai Suetortrakul announced the dismissal of Pol Lt Col Warinthorn Prasitchaicharn, 48, deputy superintendent of Ron Phibun district, on Friday.
He said a panel will consider serious disciplinary offence charges against the dismissed officer over the fatal shooting in Trang province last month.
Pol Lt Col Warinthorn also faces criminal charges.
He is accused of colluding with Jirasak Klabkhan, 58, and Chamni Chamnarnkit, 45, head of Moo 2 village in Na Bon district of Nakhon Si Thammarat, in shooting dead Veerayut Khun-in, 39, and his wife Waraporn Piandee, 39, in Ratsada district, Trang on Sept 9. The couple’s 14-year-old son was seriously wounded.
Veerayut, a latex trader, was driving a Toyota Fortuner in company with his wife and their son on Phetkasem Road in tambon Khuan Mao of Ratsada district. They were attacked by gunmen riding in a pickup truck.
Thai media reported the attackers opened fire with M16 rifles. The pickup truck used for the attack was later set on fire on a local road amid rubber plantations in Na Bon district of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Police investigators identified the last occupant of the vehicle as Mr Chamni.
The Trang provincial court issued warrants on Oct 27 for the arrest of Pol Lt Col Warinthorn and the two other suspects for collusion in the murder, illegal possession of weapons and illegally carrying them in public.
The village headman, Mr Chamni, was arrested at a petrol station in Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, the same day, Wednesday.
Pol Lt Col Warinthorn turned himself in to the Nakhon Si Thammarat police chief on Thursday evening and acknowledged the charges. The accused officer denied all charges before being handed over to Ratsada police.
It was reported that Mr Jirasak also surrendered to police on Thursday.
Pol Maj Gen Somchai said the case would be handled swiftly and in a fair manner.
A police flow chart of the fatal attack in Trang on Sept 9. The couple, left, were shot dead and their son, 14, was wounded. The three suspects are at top centre: Pol Lt Col Warinthorn Prasitchaicharn, left, Jirasak Klabkhan, right, and Chamni Chamnarnki, below . (Photo: Nujaree Rakrun)