Police name alleged buyer of Ae Inside hit
PHUKET: Police have issued arrest warrants for three men they believe were involved in the assassination of Phuket journalist Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwittayaporn, 44, on January 12.
Saturday 21 January 2012, 02:09PM
They named the three as:
- Sanya “Noo” Klinchum, 36, allegedly the gunman;
- Somkuan “Boy” Pandee, 48, who allegedly arranged the hit; and
- Assadakorn Seedokbuab, 48, who they allege ordered and paid for the murder.
Assadakorn is well known in Phuket as the Director of KPP Cable TV. He is also a Vice-Chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce.
Announcing the issue of the warrants, the Commander of Phuket Police, Maj Gen Chonasit Wattanavrangkul, declined to explain how investigators had come to the conclusion that Assadakorn was behind the killing. To do so, he said, “would libel a third party”.
However, Gen Chonasit said police believe Mr Wisut was murdered because of something critical he wrote.
Police believe that all three men have now gone into hiding.
On January 16, the driver of the bike carrying the gunman, Noppadon “Pae” Praisri, 41, was arrested.
Evidence he gave to police led to Sanya and Somkuan. The latter, Noppadon said, had paid him B50,000 for his part in the murder.
Noppadon is now in Phuket prison. Police have opposed a bail request.
