POLICE SAY HITMAN WAS HIRED TO END BID DISPUTE

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Villager arrested over police killing
POLICE SAY HITMAN WAS HIRED TO END BID DISPUTE
Published: 22/05/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: News  

A Lahu tribesman from Mae Hong Son province has been charged over the murder of a former district police chief last month, which investigators believe is related to a dispute over a dam contract.

Simu Chayo, 52, who had been wanted by police since May 16, was arrested yesterday morning at a petrol station on the Chiang Mai-Fang Road in Chiang Mai province.

Kerkrit Niyomserm, the former police chief of Kamphaeng Phet's Sai Ngam district, was shot dead in front of his house in Muang district, Nakhon Sawan, on April 19.

Deputy police chief Phanupong Singhara na Ayutthaya said the gunman was caught on a security camera installed in front of Pol Col Kerkrit's house.

Pol Gen Phanupong said the Crime Suppression Division took over the case from the local police after initial investigations indicated the gunman was hired by an influential local figure.

Mr Simu allegedly confessed to being hired by a man identified only as Tai for 100,000 baht to carry out the killing. Pol Gen Phanupong said Mr Simu claimed he was unaware the intended victim was a police officer.

Mr Simu said he received only 60,000 baht in cash and had been unable to get hold of Tai again after he murdered Pol Col Kerkrit.

Pol Gen Phanupong said Tai led Mr Simu to his target who they stalked for 20 days before the killing.

Mr Simu was arrested in possession of a .357 revolver and 16 rounds of ammunition.

He also faces charges of unauthorised possession of a firearm and carrying them in a public place without permission.

Tai allegedly received the killing order from a close aide of an "influential figure" in Uthai Thani. The aide was identified as Nirun Phuengsampao, a 38-year-old contractor from Muang district.

Pol Gen Phanupong said an arrest warrant has also been issued for Mr Nirun. He said the aide is seen as the key witness in bringing the real mastermind to justice.

Pol Gen Phanupong said police have been tracking Mr Nirun and are encouraging him to turn himself in to authorities because his life may be in danger from the person who ordered the killing of Pol Col Kerkrit.

Pol Gen Phanupong refused to specify whether the suspected mastermind was a politician in Uthai Thani, but he said that locals would know who he was referring to.

The motive for the murder of Pol Col Kerkrit may have been a conflict related to a bid for a dam construction contract in Nakhon Sawan province.

Mr Simu was once a so-called "black Lahu warrior" whose main duty was to protect his village, said Pol Gen Phanupong.

Police are keeping close watch on hitmen camps across the country for fear that gunmen will be hired to kill politicians in the run-up to the July 3 election.