Provincial Deputy Police Chief Col Sermphan Sirikong revealed that the arrest warrants were issued after police arrested 23-year-old Wisuth Yokyong and 24-year-old Thanachai Chunthong in connection with the shooting of Imam Weerachart on Aug 4.
“After days of questioning, Wisuth and Thanachai finally gave up the names of two men they say were behind the shooting of Imam Weerachart.
“On Sept 2, Phuket Provincial Court issued arrest warrants for Mr Lamom Ratderm at an address in Thepkrasattri and Mr Nattaphat Songna at a second address in Thepkrasattri relating to charges of hiring, instigating or conspiring others to commit murder and supporting the act of attempted murder,” Col Sermphan said.
“Lamom and Nattaphat are currently on the run, but we will find them and bring them in to face their charges soon,” he added.
Imam Weerachart told police that on the the night of the shooting he was driving home with his three-year-old son in the back seat of his car when a motorbike approached them and its passenger pulled out the gun and shot at him.
Imam Weerachart said, “I want police to bring everyone involved in this case to justice because I believe they wanted to take my life. The reason behind the shooting I cannot disclose to the public because it under investigation, but I gave police all relevant information.”
The shooting incident happened at 7:45pm on Aug 4 when two suspects shot and injured Imam Weerachart in Soi Koh Kaew 24. After the shooting police captured Wisuth at an address in Mai Khao, and Thanachai who suffered injuries in the pair’s getaway. The two suspects then told police of the person who hired them. (See story here.)