Phang Nga OrBorJor elect new chairman

PHANG NGA: Members of Phang Nga Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) have elected Arkhom Thongjerm as their new Chairman to replace Nithas Siribenjakul, who was gunned down at Takuapa Bus Terminus on July 30.

Phang Nga OrBorJor Deputy Chaiman Chot Chatpong told the Gazette that K. Arkhom – the only nominee – was elected unanimously at the OrBorJor‘s meeting on August 13.

Members of the assembly had previously agreed that K. Arkhom should serve as Chairman for two years, followed by Auychai Ponphom from Thungmaphao district.

However, K. Chot said the regulations stated any replacement should stay in post until the end of the OrBorJor term (in 2008) “unless he dies or resigns before that date”.

It remains to be seen whether K. Arkhom will honor the original agreement by stepping down after two years.

Police are still investigating the murder of K. Nithas, and the OrBorJor called on them to do a thorough job. “The members of Phang Nga OrBorJor… have asked the police to investigate his conflicts seriously and arrest the gunman and whoever pulled the strings,” said K. Chot.

He added that K. Nithas had had no problems with OrBorJor members, so there was no reason why any of them should want him dead.

Pol Col Aroon Keawthanee, Superintendent of Takuapa Police Station, told the Gazette the police investigation was continuing.

He said, “We are working hard, night and day, to solve this murder. We have set up two police teams, plus there is a team from the governor’s office keeping a close eye on the case.”

Col Aroon admitted that the investigation was very difficult. K. Nithas had many conflicts in many provinces, including Surat Thani, Phattalung and Nakhon Sri Thammarat.

The colonel refused to give details of the conflicts in other provinces but he did stress that his officers had not ruled out the possibility that a disagreement with a local politician was behind K. Nithas’s death.

He said, “Our investigation initially found he was involved in 13 disputes that might have led to his death, but we have now ruled out five of these as not being connected to the shooting.

“Eight are still being investigated, and we will continue our investigation until we arrest the gunman and close the case.”