Gunman claims community leader hires him to kill rescuer in insurance row
Police point missing insurance money as motive of murder
A Thai community leader in Ayutthaya province denied involvement in the murder of a volunteer rescuer, despite a confession from a hired gunman. The killing is suspected to have been motivated by a conflict over insurance money.
The body of 24 year old rescue volunteer Sarayut “Keng” Nokjan, from the Ayutthaya Ruamjai Foundation, was discovered on a road on September 10. He was wearing a dark blue shirt and black trousers and sustained two gunshot wounds to his chest and neck.
Keng’s motorcycle, a dark blue Honda Wave, was found parked in the middle of the road. Police suspect the gunman may have been someone Keng knew, who lured him to the scene.
Keng’s elder brother, 38 year old Bancha, who is also a volunteer rescuer, told Matichon that he never imagined he would have to collect the body of his own brother.
Keng had recently told him that he was about to start a job and asked him to look after their mother. Bancha said it now felt like a farewell message.
The investigation led to the arrest of 31 year old Wacharawit on September 19. He confessed to shooting Keng and alleged that 31 year old community leader Panupong had hired him to carry out the killing, even providing the murder weapon.
Police later raided Panupong’s home and took him to the station for questioning, but he denied all allegations.
According to Wacharawit, he and Panupong had planned the murder since August. On the day of the crime, Panupong allegedly invited Keng to dine with him at a noodle shop near the scene, then signalled to Wacharawit as Keng rode by.
Wacharawit stopped Keng under the pretence of needing help with his broken motorcycle and shot him when Keng went to inspect the vehicle.
Matichon reported that the motive was linked to a dispute over insurance money. Panupong was the employer of Keng’s father and had sold insurance policies covering Keng’s family, with a payout of 2 million baht.
Earlier this year, Keng’s father drowned, but the family received only about 600,000 baht from the insurance company. Keng suspected Panupong of withholding part of the money and demanded clarification.
Police are continuing to investigate the insurance issue and to question Panupong over his alleged role in the murder.
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