3 Praćhin Buri bodyguards nabbed over deadly shooting of PAO candidate
Police arrested three bodyguards of the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chief for the fatal shooting of the next PAO chief candidate last night.
The shooting broke out in the two-storey house of the PAO‘s chief executive, Sunthorn Wilawan, at around 9pm, December 11. Locals heard multiple gunshots before everything went silent. Sunthorn’s pet dogs continued barking.
Later, at around 9.45pm, commando police arrived at the scene and negotiated with Sunthorn and his bodyguards before investigating the house. Officers found the lifeless body of 48 year old Chaimate “Tong” Sittisanitpong with multiple gunshot wounds.
Chaimate was Sunthorn’s adopted son and worked closely with him for a long time. He was an influential person in the province and also a former leading member of the Prachin Buri Provincial Council.
Two assault rifles and a 9mm pistol were found in the hallway of the house. Ten bullet casings were found at the scene.
Matichon and DailyNews reported that Chaimate visited Sunthorn’s house to discuss the upcoming PAO chief election as Sunthorn planned to step down.
The internal meeting was held to discuss who would be the next candidate for this important election. They may not have been able to agree on the matter, leading to the fatal shooting.
Three gunmen were arrested at the scene, all of whom were Suthorn’s bodyguards. They denied giving any information to the police and concealed the motive for the fatal shooting.
Accordingly, officers were required to arrest Suthorn along with three family members residing at the same address. They have been under questioning since last night.
KhaoSod reported today, December 12, that Sunthorn appeared unfazed by the fatal shooting that occurred in his home and maintained that he was not involved.
Suthorn said he planned to step down and let his adopted son join the next election. On the day of the incident, they nicely agreed on the matter. However, the deceased had a long-standing conflict with his bodyguards, leading to the fatal shooting.
Suthorn is one of the most powerful politicians in the province and used to serve as the Deputy Minister of Education.
His daughter, Kanokwan Wilawan, also followed in her father’s political footsteps and became the Deputy Minister of Education during the reign of former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Unfortunately, Kanokwan had to resign from her position due to the Khao Yai forest encroachment case.
