Three Chiang Rai men arrested for murder, assault

PHUKET CITY: Police yesterday held a press conference to announce the arrest of three young men charged with the bludgeoning murder of a teenage boy in Tambon Wichit on Tuesday night.

The press conference was conducted by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Apirak Hongtong, Phuket City Police Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit, and Deputy Superintendent Chaiwat Auykham.

They identified the victim as 16-year Surapol Boonpa, who died at 3 am yesterday at Vachira Phuket Hosptial from injuries sustained in a beating by the three men.

The suspects, all building workers from Chiang Rai, were identified as: Ekachai “Ek” Khamfu, 21; Kittikun “Keng” Funkiaw, 22; and Traisit “Boy” Sriyodtanyachai, 30.

According to eyewitnesses, the three men met with a group of teenage boys and girls at the entrance to Panyamon Soi 3, off Pattanatongtin Road in Wichit Village 1, at about 8:30 pm on Tuesday.

A fight caused by jealousy over one of the girls resulted in the three men beating the victim and two of his friends with wooden clubs and metal bars, police said.