Policeman indicted over Phuket slaying

PHUKET: A Songkhla police officer has been charged with conspiracy to murder Phuket businessman Visanuwat Ngamjun, Pol Lt Col Paween Pongsirin, Superintendent of Phuket Police Station, said today. K. Visanuwat was shot dead with three bullets to the head by a motorcycle-riding assassin while he was driving out of the car park at the Big C supercenter on February 28. Col Paween told the Gazette that Pol Sgt Maj Somchai Pintongpan, 52, of Songkhla Town Police Station, had been arrested at his home in Haad Yai and brought to Phuket for questioning over his involvement in the killing. “Maj Somchai was the person who told the gunman who to kill,” Col Paween said. “He also gave police information useful for arresting other suspects.” Police had petitioned for six arrest warrants, Col Paween said, including the kingpin believed to have ordered the killing. However, only three warrants were granted, with the court asking police to gather more evidence before reapplying for the other three. Maj Somchai was released on 300,000-baht bail and has returned to Songkhla.