Court Upholds Death Sentences for Malaysian Businessman’s Assassination

[webfact]

 

SONGKHLA, Thailand – The Court of Appeals Region 9 has upheld the death sentences for four men involved in the 2015 assassination of Malaysian businessman Mr. Lee Ah Han, while two others received life imprisonment. This verdict confirms the initial ruling from the lower court.

 

The incident, which shocked the community, took place on 4 December 2015. Mr. Lee Ah Han, 44, a Malaysian real estate tycoon, was gunned down in his black Mercedes S300, along with his wife Mrs. Mayuree Thipmanee, on Kanchanawanit Road in Hat Yai District, Songkhla Province. While Mr. Lee was killed instantly, Mrs. Mayuree survived, albeit with injuries.

 

A total of six individuals stood accused in connection with the horrifying crime, executed with military precision using M16 rifles. The assailants were identified as part of a coordinated team, with roles ranging from contract killer to driver and orchestrator.

 

Sentenced to Death:
1. Mr. Aphichat Saelow (Sia Chon), the hired gunman.
2. Mr. Yuthasak Klamak, the driver of the pickup truck.
3. Mr. Tan Wun Jen, the employer and mastermind.
4. Mr. Thanatep Ngamtan, the driver of the Ford pickup truck.

 

Sentenced to Life Imprisonment:
1. Mr. Ekkapol Inkaew, the gunman, received a life sentence due to his confession.
2. Mr. Chinapat Pitakthai*, the driver for the gunman.

 

Initially, Ekapol and Chinapat had evaded capture while on bail, but Ekapol was later arrested in May 2014 in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Chinapat remains at large, reported Thai Rath.

 

The attack was meticulously planned. Three pickup trucks and a sedan were used for different roles, including surveillance and execution. The motive was traced to a debt dispute of approximately 120 million baht between Mr. Tan Wun Jen and the deceased. Notably, Mr. Aphichat, who was hired to kill Mr. Lee, was the father-in-law of Mr. Tan Wun Jen.

 

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

Further investigation revealed a more scandalous layer: Mr. Lee Ah Han had a personal relationship with Aphichat’s younger sister and had allegedly blackmailed her to acquire land, which contributed to the motive for his murder.

 

Led by Pol. Col. Sakda Charoenkun, the investigation team meticulously gathered evidence and confessions that were crucial in securing the convictions. Despite initial denials, the evidence and Ekapol's detailed confession painted a clear picture of a brutal, premeditated crime, motivated by financial disputes and personal grudges.

 

The court’s verdict today reiterates the gravity of such orchestrated assassinations and sends a strong message against organised crime. The families of the victims now hope for some semblance of justice and closure. The convicted have the right to appeal further, but for now, the Court of Appeals Region 9's decision stands firm.

 

TOP Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-08-15

 

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[tau152]

Great!!  For especially Tan Wun!! 

[chippendale]

How will they be executed?

[Stocky]

Lethal injection, it replaced the firing squad in 2003, though I don't know what they inject. That said, they don't seem to carry out many of these death sentences anyway.

[brewsterbudgen]

3 hours ago, Stocky said:

Lethal injection, it replaced the firing squad in 2003, though I don't know what they inject. That said, they don't seem to carry out many of these death sentences anyway.

Yes, thankfully most death sentences are commuted by the King.

[john donson]

death or life sentence, do they even carry out the death sentence anymore ?

 

serial rapists , child fiddlers, murderers, they all deserve a one way exit ...