Arrest warrant issued for former mayor of Patong

PHUKET: A warrant has been issued for the arrest of the former Mayor of Patong, Dr Anan Ananthanawat, on charges of involvement in last year’s murder of an ex-policeman. Pol Lt Col Paween Pongsirin, Deputy Superintendent of Investigation at Phuket Town Police Station, told the Gazette that five men had already been arrested for involvement in the murder of the former policeman, Pol Sub-Lt Weerapol Panrod. Weerapol was shot on Luang Phor Wat Chalong Rd in Phuket Town in December 1998, and died instantly. During questioning, all five of the arrested men had implicated Dr Anan in the murder, Pol Lt Col Paween said. The five, who are in custody, having been denied bail, are Pakorn Eamlamai, 36, a former newspaper reporter, Prach Chantarasopin, 38, and Santi Petchploydee, 47, described as assistants to Dr Anan, and Surasak Iyara, 36, and Theerayuth Thongnuanchan, 34, described as gunmen. Pol Lt Col Paween said, “It took us almost 10 months to find the suspects. Pakorn and Prach were arrested two days ago in Patong, following information received from Surasak and Theerayuth, who were arrested recently in Samut Prakarn for the 4-million-baht robbery of Merritech Co there, and the murder of two security guards at the company.” Samut Prakarn police contacted Phuket after arresting Surasak and Theerayuth and finding they were also wanted here. Santi was arrested in Chonburi, where Dr Anan has a house. “Weerapol was a police officer in Nakorn Sri Thammarat. After he was fired in 1995, he joined Dr Anan as his bodyguard,” Pol Lt Col Paween told the Gazette. “Dr Anan has contacted police here and has told us that he will come for questioning as soon as he is free.”