Phuket businessman assassinated

RAWAI: Preecha “Ko Noi” Kraitas, 43, owner of the Phuket Shooting Range and the Fisherman Way housing estate, was shot while driving home from dinner with his wife and his nine-year-old son late last night. He died later in hospital.

Pol Capt Padungpong Duksukkaew of Chalong Police Station told the Gazette that K. Preecha was driving along Wiset Rd with his family at about 11 pm after dining in Phuket City. His armed bodyguard was following in another car. They had almost reached home.

“Two teenagers in a red sedan pulled alongside and opened fire. They fired five times with a 9mm gun,” said Capt Padungpong. “K. Preecha was hit twice in the head.”

He added that K. Preecha’s Jeep Cherokee smashed into the back of a minivan, then careened off the road and scraped along a wall before plowing head-on into a tree. K. Preecha’s wife, Jurairat, and the couple’s son escaped serious injury.

Capt Padungpong said that by the time police reached the scene some “good person” had already taken K. Preecha to Phuket International Hospital, but he was later pronounced dead from his wounds.

Police believe the assassination may have been related to a business deal K. Preecha was involved in, the Captain said. Investigators are concentrating on tracking down the killers.