Phuket Police name “mastermind’ suspect behind “Ae Inside’ murder

PHUKET: Police today announced the name of the man they believe masterminded the assassination of Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwitthayaporn, who was shot dead in rush-hour traffic while driving to Phuket Town on January 12.

Maj Gen Chonasit Wattanavrangku, superintendent of Phuket Provincial Police, this morning confirmed that arrest warrants had been issued for Atsadakorn “Pod” Seedokbuab (pictured above), 48, and Somkuan “Boy” Deepan, 48.

“Both are registered as living Phuket,” he said.

The arrest warrants, issued yesterday, cite the suspects as wanted for conspiracy to commit murder.

Atsadakorn is believed to have ordered the assassination, while Somkuan is wanted for hiring the gunman and the getaway driver, explained Maj Gen Chonasit.

The police commander also confirmed that an arrest warrant had been issued for Sanya Klinchum, 36, registered as living in Phetchburi.

Noppadol “Pae” Praisri, arrested on Monday for his alleged part in the murder as the getaway driver, named Sanya as the gunman who pulled the trigger at least four times, striking Mr Wisut in the chest. Mr Wisut died en route to hospital.

Somkuan allegedly paid Noppadol 50,000 baht for his role in the crime before disappearing.

The transaction was carried out in a location near Nimit Circle in Phuket Town, the last stop on a five-stop re-enactment of the crime around Phuket Town on Tuesday.

The arrest warrant for Sanya names him as wanted for conspiracy to commit murder.

None of the arrest warrants named any person wanted for the actual killing of Mr Wisut.

“We believe the reason behind Mr Wisut’s murder involves articles that Mr Wisut published, but we cannot disclose any more details right now as the case is still under investigation,” Maj Gen Chonasit said.

Although initially considered as a possible motive for the killing, police have since dismissed the probability that Mr Wisut was murdered for stories he published about issuance of illegal title deeds for land at Freedom Beach, on the headland just south of Patong.

The front cover of the last issue of Inside Phuket published by Mr Wisut is emblazoned with the headline “Flying Sor Kor 1“, a term well known to describe how land usage entitlement papers are fraudulently amended in order to apply for full Chanote land title deeds for larger plots.

“The three suspects are not expected to be in Phuket, but we are questioning their families as to their whereabouts,” he added.

Police have denied Noppadol bail while he is under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder, added Maj Gen Chonasit.

See also:

‘Get the gunmen off our streets’: Phuket Governor

Phuket ‘Ae Inside’ murder: Thai media reports police closing in on killers

Phuket Video Report: ‘Ae Inside’ murder re-enacted by suspect

Red Shirt leader hails Phuket’s ‘Ae Inside’ as ‘brave, fearless’

— Atchaa Khamlo