Alleged killer cop surrenders

PHUKET CITY: Narcotics agent Pol Sen S/Maj Manot Junjuer, accused of shooting two people at point-blank range yesterday, killing one of them and seriously injuring the other, turned himself in this morning at the Phuket City Police Station.

The dead man was named as Seksit Kulra-uk. The injured man, who is in a serious condition at Wachira Phuket Hospital, was an off-duty police sergeant, Panya Borirak, of Kathu Police Station.

Pol Lt Col Sien Kaewthong, of Phuket City Police Station, told the Gazette that the shootings took place at the Anajak Isan restaurant on Soi Pattanatongtin, off Sakdidet Rd, at 11:45 pm.

He explained that Sgt Panya, 34, went to Anajak Isan after finishing work in order to visit the owner. He was not in uniform nor was he carrying a firearm.

Soon afterwards, Manot, also out of uniform, entered with Seksit. Col Sien said witnesses said both appeared to be drunk when they sat down.

Soon after, Manot called for a bill although he had not ordered anything, Col Sien said. At the same time, Seksit slumped to the floor. As a waitress tried to help him back into his seat, he touched her breast. She immediately reported this to the restaurant owner.

Sgt Panya heard the waitress’s account and aproached the two men. Manot demanded to know who he was, so Panya produced his police ID card.

Abruptly, Manot pulled out a 9mm pistol and Seksit pulled Sgt Panya’s arms behind his back. The pair then frogmarched the sergeant outside.

There, Manot – bizarrely – held his gun beneath Seksit’s chin and fired, killing him instantly. He then turned his gun on Sgt Panya, shooting him once through the right side of his body and once in the throat.

Manot surrendered this morning and was charged with murder and attempted murder. Col Sien said that the narcotics cop neither admitted nor denied the charges, saying only that he would have his say in court.

The investigation continues.