9-9-2023 (BANGKOK) The Criminal Court has granted police permission to detain Praween Chankhlai, a former kamnan or subdistrict head, who is accused of orchestrating the murder of a highway police officer during a dinner party in Nakhon Pathom on Wednesday night.
A reliable source revealed that police have also requested arrest warrants for four officers who were present at the party, as evidence indicates that the gun used in the killing belonged to a policeman.
Furthermore, the police force is currently investigating 25 officers who attended the event, as the gunman, Thananchai Manmak, managed to escape and subsequent evidence was found to have been tampered with.
A witness residing in Mr. Praween’s house reportedly confessed to taking the gun used in the shooting and burying it near the reservoir of a local waterworks agency in Muang district.
On Saturday, police accompanied the witness to the location where they discovered the gun wrapped in a piece of tablecloth fabric from the dinner party. Forensic experts will examine the weapon as part of the investigation.
The investigation team confirmed that the gun was originally obtained by a police officer in Nakhon Pathom through a police welfare gun scheme. Last month, this officer sold the gun to Kamnan Nok, who then allegedly passed it on to Thananchai.
Mr. Praween, aged 34, will remain in custody until September 20 while police continue their investigation and question approximately 30 witnesses regarding the murder.
According to the law, a suspect can be detained for up to seven periods of 12 days, amounting to 84 days in total, before formal charges must be filed or the suspect is released.
Chao Kaensawat, the lawyer representing Mr. Praween, stated that his client has not applied for bail, without providing further details.
Earlier, the police announced their opposition to granting bail, citing the suspect’s nine-year tenure as the kamnan of tambon Thakong, which granted him the authority to apprehend individuals involved in wrongdoing within his jurisdiction.
The suspect, an influential local figure, reportedly had connections with police officers from various stations. He frequently hosted parties at his home, inviting officers of different ranks and other officials to build relationships. He also claimed to have close ties with politicians at both local and national levels.
Police expressed concerns that if released on bail, Mr. Praween might tamper with evidence or intimidate witnesses.
Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, the deputy national police chief leading the case, stated that investigators have gathered compelling evidence demonstrating Mr. Praween’s involvement in ordering the shooting.
The suspect has denied any connection to the crime, asserting that the gunman acted independently. However, eyewitnesses previously informed the police that Mr. Praween became enraged after the victim rejected a transfer request for his policeman nephew.
Moments later, Thananchai approached a table and opened fire, killing Pol Maj Sivakorn Saibua, the chief of a local highway police station. Pol Lt Col Wasin Pandee, deputy commander of Highway Police Sub-division 2, sustained injuries.
Thananchai fled the scene but was tracked down in Kanchanaburi on Friday morning. He died in a gunfight after resisting arrest and opening fire, according to the police.
Mr. Praween surrendered to the police on Thursday evening.
Although Mr. Praween’s official income as a kamnan was 12,000 baht per month, local media reports suggest that his wealth stems from owning two construction companies inherited from his father. Records from the Department of Business Development show that these businesses reported 2.6 billion baht in revenue over the past five years.
His opulent residence features a swimming pool and a glass-enclosed garage housing luxury vehicles, including a Bentley, Mini Cooper, and Mercedes-Benz.
