Patong killing: police arrest two
PATONG: Police have arrested a man and charged him with strangling and killing another man in the shallows at Patong Beach early on Sunday. Suchart Torkratoke, 24, from Korat, a laborer working in Patong, was charged with the murder of Surasak Saensuwan, 42, from Chiang Mai, who worked as an accountant with a Phuket company. Suchart was arrested at his brother’s house in Takuapa, Phang Nga. Suchart’s brother, Somchai, 27, a painter, was also arrested and charged with receiving goods stolen from the dead man. Police said that Suchart confessed to the killing, telling them that he had met Surasak in a karaoke bar in Patong and agreed to go for a drink with him. Surasak’s body was found face-down on the beach with a yellow nylon cord around his neck. Suchart allegedly murdered Surasak for his mobile phone, his motorcycle and 700 baht in cash. All of the stolen goods were taken to Somchai, police said. Suchart is in jail pending a court appearance.
