Victim’s friend confesses to Saphan Hin murder

PHUKET: The police have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a long-tail boat driver in Sapan Hin last week. Santi Prachumchai, 29, a construction worker, was arrested for the murder of Chin Lueyot on Sunday at his friend’s home at 8/7 Amphur Rd, Phuket Town. The police made the arrest after speaking with friends of K. Chin as part of their investigation, said Pol Maj Songwut Khunjan of the Phuket Town police station. Santi confessed to the slaying after he was arrested and has been charged with intended murder. This carries a penalty of 20 years in prison or execution. According to Santi’s confession to the police, K. Chin, Santi and two other friends went to the Ja-Ae Café on Rassadanusorn Rd on the evening of July 29. The group drank heavily at the café and later moved to a pavilion near the sports complex at Sapan Hin. An argument broke out between Chin and Santi over who would go to find a “bar girl” to join them. The argument developed into a fight. After the fight died down, Chin went off to go swimming in the sea. Santi followed him into the water, where they had another tussle. After losing this battle, Santi waded to shore to wait for Chin. When Chin came out of the water, Santi hit him several times in the head with a sharp piece of wood. Santi noticed that Chin was bleeding heavily, so he fled the scene. Santi was released from jail on Monday on 600,000 baht bail, and must report back to court on August 16.