He denied any involvement in the murder, stressing that his appearance today was to insist on his innocence.
He told media that he was on a business trip in Myanmar when the murder occurred.
Upon his return to Thailand, he discovered that he had become a suspect in the murder case. Shocked, he decided to stay in Bangkok until he had calmed down.
“I simply cannot understand how I could have been dragged into this murder case,” he said.
He added that he had no connection with the other suspects, apart from Somkuan “Boy” Pandee, 48, who allegedly arranged the hit. Assadakorn said Somkuan had once worked for him on a construction site, clearing land with a backhoe.
He said he and Ae Inside were the best of friends. “We had a tight relationship. I can’t think of any reasons why I would want to kill him.”
Assadakorn said he had even provided financial aid to Mr Wisut when the journalist flew to Bangkok to support the Red Shirt protests last year.
He added, “I don’t want society to judge me as a harmful person.” However, the Superintendent of Phuket City Police, Col Chote Chitchai, said police have strong evidence pointing to Assadakorn’s involvement in the murder of Ae Inside.
Assadakorn was later brought before court. Despite police objections he was granted bail in the sum of B3.4 million. He deposited B800,000 in cash, along with three land deeds worth a total of B2.6 million.
Somkuan and the alleged gunman, Sanya Klinchum, are still in hiding.