The Criminal Court on Saturday approved a police request to detain Praween Chankhlai, a former kamnan or subdistrict head, who is accused of ordering a gunman to kill a highway police officer at a dinner party in Nakhon Pathom on Wednesday night.
Police have also sought court approval to issue arrest warrants for four officers who were at the party, after evidence showed that the gun used in the killing belonged to a policeman, said a highly placed source.
As well, the force is investigating 25 officers who were at the event, given that gunman Thananchai Manmak managed to escape and evidence was later found to have been destroyed.
A witness who lived in Mr Praween’s house reportedly confessed that he took the gun used by the shooter and buried it near the reservoir of a waterworks agency in Muang district.
Police on Saturday took the worker to the spot, where they found the gun wrapped in a piece of tablecloth fabric from the dinner party. Forensic officers will examine the weapon.
The investigation team said the gun had been acquired by an officer in Nakhon Pathom under a police welfare gun scheme. Last month, the officer sold the gun to Kamnan Nok, who reportedly gave it to Thananchai.
Mr Praween, 34, will be detained until Sept 20 while police continue their investigation and questioning of about 30 witnesses to the slaying.
Under the law, a suspect can be detained for up to seven 12-day periods, or 84 days, before police have to press formal charges or let the suspect go.
Chao Kaensawat, the lawyer for Mr Praween, said his client did not apply for bail. He did not elaborate.
Police said earlier they would oppose bail, noting that the suspect had served as the kamnan of tambon Thakong for nine years and had the authority as a local official to arrest people involved in wronging in areas under his jurisdiction.
They said the suspect was an influential local figure who had cultivated ties with police from many stations. Officers of various ranks and other officials were regular guests at parties he hosted at his home to build relationships. He also boasted of close ties with local- and national-level politicians.
If he was released on bail, he might interfere with evidence or intimidate witnesses, police said.
Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief heading the case, said investigators had obtained clear evidence showing that Mr Praween ordered the shooting.
The suspect has denied any involvement, saying the gunman acted independently. However, eyewitnesses told police earlier that Mr Praween had become angry after the victim rejected a request for a transfer for the kamnan’s policeman nephew.
Minutes later, Thananchai approached a table and opened fire, killing Pol Maj Sivakorn Saibua, a local highway police station chief. Pol Lt Col Wasin Pandee, deputy commander of Highway Police Sub-division 2, was wounded.
Thananchai fled the scene but was tracked to Kanchanaburi on Friday morning. He died in a gunfight after opening fire while resisting arrest, police said.
Mr Praween surrendered to police on Thursday evening.
Mr Praween earned 12,000 baht a month as a kamnan but local media reports said his wealth came from his ownership of two construction companies inherited from his father. Records at the Department of Business Development show that the businesses reported 2.6 billion baht in revenue over the past five years.
His luxurious home includes a swimming pool and a glass-enclosed garage that holds high-end cars, including a Bentley, Mini Cooper and Mercedes-Benz.
Police, forensic officers and rescue workers inspect the body of gunman Thananchai Manmak, suspected of killing a highway police officer in Nakhon Pathom on Wednesday night, after a shootout in Tha Rua district of Kanchanaburi early on Friday. (Photo supplied/Wassayos Ngamkham)