12-9-2023 (BANGKOK) Further criminal charges are likely to be brought against many of the police officers who are already in custody for suspected obstruction of the investigation into the murder of a highway police officer during a dinner party hosted by Kamnan Nok (real name: Praween Chankhlai) in Nakhon Pathom last Wednesday.
The potential additional charges stem from the recovery and examination of the server box from the security camera at the crime scene, which had been removed and discarded into a pond after the shooting.
Investigators have also uncovered evidence of regular payments made to police by the alleged gunman, who is believed to have been working for the dinner party host, influential local businessman Kamnan Nok.
Pol Col Anek Taosuparp, Deputy Commander of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), stated on Tuesday that CSD investigators were awaiting information from the camera server at Mr. Praween’s home in Tambon Takong, Muang district, Nakhon Pathom.
The server box was discovered missing after the murder occurred, abruptly ending the dinner party on September 6. During the party, an assailant opened fire, fatally shooting Pol Maj Siwakorn Saibua, a 32-year-old highway police inspector, on the spot.
The server was subsequently retrieved and is currently undergoing examination to extract any remaining information. Laboratory results are expected by Thursday or Friday. The server represents a crucial piece of evidence in the prosecution of individuals involved and implicated in the murder, according to Pol Col Anek.
A source indicated that 55 individuals attended last Wednesday’s party, including 28 police officers. Mr. Praween’s associates and other guests are also likely to be summoned for questioning.
Six of the police attendees have already been dismissed from the force and are facing charges of obstructing the investigation immediately following the shooting. These six officers are accused of destroying evidence related to the crime and assisting the killer and Mr. Praween in fleeing the scene.
The gunman, Thananchai Manmak, was shot dead by police in Kanchanaburi province on Friday, while Mr. Praween surrendered to police on Thursday evening.
Some of the six officers may also face additional charges of malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, as per the source.
According to the source, a money trail connects Mr. Praween, gunman Thananchai, and police who were present at the party. Thananchai had regularly transferred money to five of the six officers.
Investigators believe that Thananchai was tasked with delivering money to individuals on behalf of Mr. Praween, a former tambon chief and influential local politician and businessman.
The immediate superior of the murder victim, Pol Col Vachira Yaothaisong, 44, was found dead at his home in Tambon Khu Khot, Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province, on Monday. He had sustained a single gunshot wound to his right temple, with the bullet exiting through his left temple. A 9mm pistol was discovered on the floor to the right of his body.
Doctors determined that he had died 8-12 hours prior to the discovery of his body. Police believe that he committed suicide, blaming himself for having invited Pol Maj Siwakorn, his subordinate, to the dinner party where the latter was killed.
Blood smears on the floor initially suggested that the body may have been moved, but forensic examiners ultimately concluded that these marks were caused by an automatic robot vacuum cleaner. The spent bullet was found lodged in the machine.
Outside surveillance cameras captured the sound of a single gunshot fired inside the house.
Pol Col Vachira had served as the commander of Highway Police sub-division 2 and was Pol Maj Siwakorn’s immediate superior.
