Nongyao Chamninual, 41, of Surat Thani’s Phunphin district, is one of six suspects in the murder of Lee Ah Han, 54, in Hat Yai district on December 4.
She told police that Lee had video-taped a sexual relationship with a relative of the alleged mastermind of the murder, to force her to transfer ownership of the land to him, Pol Lt Gen Veerapong Chuenphakdi, chief of Provincial Police Region 9, said during a media briefing on Monday (Dec 21).
Lee was killed by a gunman who riddled his Bangkok-registered black Mercedes-Benz S300 with assault rifle fire on Kanchanawanit Rd in Hat Yai district. His wife was injured, but survived.
Police had found several possible motives for the murder, including business conflicts, adultery and debt. They said Lee had done business in the border region for about a decade and knew many people.
Pol Lt Gen Veerapong said warrants were obtained for the arrest of six suspects in the case, including Ms Nongyao.
The other five – alleged mastermind Apichon or Saichon Sae Lhong, 46; Chinnapat Pitakthai, alleged gunman Ekkapol Inkaew, Yutthasak Klamak and Thanadet Ngiantan – remain at large.
During interrogation, Ms Nongyao told police the slain Malaysian man had a sexual affair with a woman who was a relative of Mr Apichon, and had video-taped their sessions together. He used the video to blackmail the woman, Thai media reported on Tuesday (Dec 22).
Lee had force the woman to transfer ownership of a block of land worth about B20 million to him. When he learned about the blackmail Mr Apichai became angry and had offered a bounty of more than B1 million to anyone who killed him, Ms Nongyao alleged.
Mr Ekkapol had accepted the job to kill Lee, according to Ms Nongyao. After the killing, all fled separately.
Pol Lt Gen Veerapong said investigators were not convinced by Ms Nongyao’s story. The investigation was continuing to find a real motive.
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