Skipper hacked to death by Burmese crew

PHUKET TOWN: Police believe the Thai skipper of a fishing vessel found dead on Sunday was murdered by members of his Burmese crew and dumped in the water after an argument that ended in violence. Jirachai Krairat, 35, who had gone missing the previous night, was found floating face down with his head almost severed from his body, in water near Rassada Port, close to the Choke Ruam Porn, the fishing boat he skippered. He also had hammer wounds on his back and neck, and five or six stab wounds in his chest that appeared to have been made with a sharpened steel reinforcing bar. Pol Lt Col Thewate Pluemsut of Phuket Town Police Station said the hunt for the culprits was difficult because the suspects did not have work permits. But Burmese border officials had said they would help to apprehend the pair. “We will get them soon,” he said. Police believe K. Jirachai was a hot-tempered man, and that he may have made the Burmese angry before he was killed.