“13 reasons to kill’ Phang Nga politician

PHANG NGA: Police investigating Friday’s assassination of Nithat Siribenjakul, chairman of the Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), told the Gazette today that Nithat was involved in no fewer than 13 conflicts, any of which might have triggered his murder.

Nithat was gunned down by at least three men riding in the back of a black Isuzu pickup as he drove into the Takuapa bus terminus at about 8 pm. He died at the scene.

Pol Col Aroon Keawthanee, Superintendent of Takuapa Police Station, said, “He was in conflict with many people in Takuapa District, including a conflict over bidding for a road construction contract, and conflicts with other local politicians about the Phang Nga OrBorJor budget.

“We cannot rule out any of the 13 possible motives because any one of them could have led to his death,” Col Aroon said.

He explained that officers had questioned about 10 witnesses, including Phang Nga OrBorJor member Niphon Pechkul, whom Nithat visited just before he was gunned down.

Col Aroon said that the investigation had uncovered some useful information, adding that 11mm, shotgun and 6.55mm casings were found at the scene of the murder.

“I cannot confirm whether the gunmen are still in Phang Nga,” he said. “If I knew that, I would have caught them already.”