American Shot In Hua Hin On 24 Oct. 2008; Three Thai Suspects Arrested

[Ollie]

More backround info:

http://www.huahinnews.net/news-2008-11/for...t-in-huahin.htm

Tuck is a crook in the pocket of the Greek. Believe what you will.

The shooting was before a Court hearing?

[FarangFatal]

Too bad, as HH is a lovley little place to retire. Greek and corrupton have set in and now people are afraid to speak out. The crooks seem to be winning, oh well. Phuket is a far better place anyway!

Hope the gent is doing better! what a shame a retired guy missies out on the golden years. I do wonder how it is that even his second home was plagued with problems..... Before the sensor-matic folks at the HH board realized that a few posts snuk in there was some info about his issues with some Brit who built alot of things on Soi 88 and drove about in a Bently. A Bently in HH, my dear man you needent show disrespect to the extent to become a target. It's like going to the Hilton Disco if you don't want to be near Kateoy!

[hhfarang]

Too bad, as HH is a lovley little place to retire. Greek and corrupton have set in and now people are afraid to speak out. The crooks seem to be winning, oh well. Phuket is a far better place anyway!

Hope the gent is doing better! what a shame a retired guy missies out on the golden years. I do wonder how it is that even his second home was plagued with problems..... Before the sensor-matic folks at the HH board realized that a few posts snuk in there was some info about his issues with some Brit who built alot of things on Soi 88 and drove about in a Bently. A Bently in HH, my dear man you needent show disrespect to the extent to become a target. It's like going to the Hilton Disco if you don't want to be near Kateoy!

Before the Bentley, the British builder had a Lamborghini! Guess he found it didn't do well in the pot-holed sois around here so he traded up to a car with a little more ground clearance.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

It wasn't the Greek he was scheduled to go to court against, it was the brit. Who as I understand it had threatened Donald if he went to court, apparently carrying out the threat.

Rumour has it that the brit was very generious to the local BIB and still is. People are hesitant to discuss him on the local HH forum as they may suffer the same consequences as Donald did. They are trying to stop all talk about it so it will go away and no one will notice nothing is happening with the local authorities investigation.

[nanyang]

It wasn't the Greek he was scheduled to go to court against, it was the brit. Who as I understand it had threatened Donald if he went to court, apparently carrying out the threat.

Rumour has it that the brit was very generious to the local BIB and still is. People are hesitant to discuss him on the local HH forum as they may suffer the same consequences as Donald did. They are trying to stop all talk about it so it will go away and no one will notice nothing is happening with the local authorities investigation.

Do you mean a 'jock' rather than a 'brit'?

[Pax50]

Donald Whiting and his wife Dolly contracted Regal Thailand Group to build their home in Hua Hin but the contract has not been fulfilled and remains in dispute. The managing director of Regal Thailand Group is George Mastrokopolis, a well known figure in Hua Hin and the proprietor of the periodical Hua Hin Today.

The Whitings alleged that Regal took 13.6 million bt but failed to build anything beyond a half finished concrete monstrosity constructed out of sub standard materials, 80% of which has been surveyed as dangerous and uninhabitable. Mastrokopolis has countered allegations by stating that his erstwhile partner, Mario Aiello ( a Canadian/Italian ), was responsible for the contract and that his Group was no longer concerned. Mr.Aiello has since faced censure in the Thai courts for other contracts and is currently under legal obligations to remedy these.

The Whitings have been vociferous in their condemnation of Mr Mastrokopolis and his Group.Their complaints have been published locally and in Europe highlighting the plight of expat retirees who have been defrauded by unscrupulous developers.

Mr Mastrokopolis enjoys a reputation in Hua Hin fostered by his paper, Hua Hin Today. A report in August 2006, featuring a property promotion at the Sofitel, described Mr Mastrokopolis as the chief organiser of the event which had been graced by a surprise VIP guest, police Lt.General Chaiyan Maklamthong, Deputy Commission General, Bangkok. A recent report in the Berliner Zeitung states that Mr Mastrokopolis' head of PR is Hua Hin's former police chief.

Assassination as an extension of normal business practice is a recognised phenomenon in Thailand. The more professional of those contracted to kill are reputed to come from the South but in practice many engaged in this work transpire to be policemen or members of the forces.

Having been a friend of Mario Aiello and Donald Whiting for a while and being somewhat familiar with the case surrounding Donald unfortunate experiences in HH, wanted to clarify some of the information that was posted by Thucydides. It is true that Donald Whiting contracted Regal Thailand Group to build their fream home. It is not a fact that he paid 13+ Million baht. He actually paid 9.6 million baht (no that it makes the case any better). Donald, presently his wife under very difficult circumstances, is still negotiating with Regal for some sort of settlement. This indicates that Regal is still very much involved in the matter. Mario had signed and registered a Lease with the Whitings and has no longer any obligations in this matter. Furthermore, it is not a fact that Mario has been censored by the courts. The public apologies, in favor of Mario, published in Hot Line news for three months running clearly indicates that he was exonorated of any wrongdoing. As far as I know he has remedied his legal obligations (lease registration) with customers. Regal and Mario are still fighting their many disputes in the Law Courts of Thailand.

Pax50

[taxexile]

the thai news is reporting that the hua hin police have been asked by higher powers to get this case solved quickly.

possibly as a result of representations made by the us embassy ?

[PhilC]

According to a local news website 3 men have been arrested.

[taxexile]

this story has just been on the thai news.

3 thai men arrested , and they have given police the names of others involved in this shooting , one name was that of a falang , but i couldnt catch it. mention was also made of real estate deals . the police are now chasing up these leads.

the policeman giving the press conference was a high ranking officer specially appointed by the government to clear up certain high profile cases , he said that under the previous administration progress could not be made because of "voices warning the police from investigating too deeply" , he said those voices are now no more and progress in many cases is ongoing. he said since the new government came to power , the dark skies are clearing regarding obstructions to investigations of many cases.

other cases mentioned were the disappearance of a lawyer , and the delivery of drug supplies to prisoners in gaols

definately hopeful news regarding this case and others too.

[PhilC]

Apologise for the reference above.

The link was to a Hua Hin press (news) report, not a forum. The link to hua hin report has been used three times in the Hua Hin section of this forum before, so I saw no problem to use it again.

[sriracha john]

Any news on why they shot him???...university and all sound like upstanding figures...

His name is Donald Whiting

UPDATE... a fresh move to re-open the case...

Police forms investigative panel to probe major assassination cases

The National Police Chief appointed a fact-finding panel to look into the assassination of Kornthep Wiriya, aka "Shipping Moo", and the shooting of a lecturer of Stamford University in Hua Hin. Three culprits are reportedly in police custody.

Police Commissioner-General Police General Phatcharavat Wongsuwan assigned his deputies, Police General Thanee Somboonsab and Police Lt.-General Atsawin Kwanmueang, to head the investigative panel responsible for the two cases.

These serious cases include the murder of Kornthep Wiriya, also known as "Shipping Moo," a key witness in a tax evasion case of Shin Satellite Company, and the shooting of the former vice-rector of Stamford University in Hua Hin, Mr Donald Whiting, and his wife.

The investigative officers reported the three culprits of the vice-rector case had been arrested in Chumphon and Pathum Thani provinces. They were later identified as Yutthana Areesawat, a former security guard, Yutthana's older brother, Samart Areesawat, and Ekanan Jitmahima. The three confessed that they shot Mr Whiting as he had a conflict with Mr Yutthana.

- ThaiNews / 2009-01-27

[soundman]

Three held in murder attempt on American

By: Chaiwat Satyaem and King-Oua Laohong Published: 28/01/2009 at 06:01 AM

One week after being ordered by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to speed up the case, police have apprehended three suspects they say were involved in the attempted murder of a US national in Hua Hin last year.

Yutthana Areesawat, 36, Samart Areesawat, 41 and Ek-anand Jitmahima, 50, were arrested yesterday in the resort district in Prachuap Khiri Khan in connection with the shooting of Donald Whiting.

The 65-year-old US national, whose wife is deputy rector of Stamford International University in neighbouring Phetchaburi's Cha-am district, was shot twice in front of his house on the night of Oct 24.

Hua Hin police chief Kasana Chamsawang said Mr Whiting had since moved to Bangkok as he needed to continue his medical treatment. Mr Whiting has a bullet lodged in his neck.

After the three confessed to attempted murder they were taken to the crime scene for a re-enactment of the crime.

Mr Yutthana said he had been hired for 200,000 baht to kill the American by the wife of a foreigner developing a major housing estate in Hua Hin.

Police said they needed to gather more evidence before a warrant could be issued for the arrest of the mastermind.

Mr Whiting had reportedly criticised the developer over the construction of his house before the local media. He was shot soon after lodging a complaint with local agencies.

His car was also set ablaze at his home on July 3.

Continued here.

[sriracha john]

As the shooting is definitely not a rumour, could consideration please be made to update and retitle the thread? Perhaps something along the lines of:

American shot in Hua Hin, three Thai suspects arrested

Additionally, consideration to moving this thread to News Clippings Forum might also be given to provide for wider dissemination of this news.

Thank you.

[george]

Three held in murder attempt on American

One week after being ordered by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to speed up the case, police have apprehended three suspects they say were involved in the attempted murder of a US national in Hua Hin last year.

Yutthana Areesawat, 36, Samart Areesawat, 41 and Ek-anand Jitmahima, 50, were arrested yesterday in the resort district in Prachuap Khiri Khan in connection with the shooting of Donald Whiting.

The 65-year-old US national, whose wife is deputy rector of Stamford International University in neighbouring Phetchaburi's Cha-am district, was shot twice in front of his house on the night of Oct 24.

Hua Hin police chief Kasana Chamsawang said Mr Whiting had since moved to Bangkok as he needed to continue his medical treatment. Mr Whiting has a bullet lodged in his neck.

After the three confessed to attempted murder they were taken to the crime scene for a re-enactment of the crime.

Mr Yutthana said he had been hired for 200,000 baht to kill the American by the wife of a foreigner developing a major housing estate in Hua Hin.

Police said they needed to gather more evidence before a warrant could be issued for the arrest of the mastermind.

Mr Whiting had reportedly criticised the developer over the construction of his house before the local media. He was shot soon after lodging a complaint with local agencies.

His car was also set ablaze at his home on July 3.

The arrests came after the prime minister last Wednesday ordered deputy national police chief Thanee Somboonsap and assistant police chief Aswin Kwanmuang to double their efforts in cracking four high-profile crime cases, including the shooting of Mr Whiting.

The other three cases involve the murders of four Saudis in 1989 and 1990, the disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit in 2004, and the killing of Kornthep Viriya, alias "Shipping Moo", in 2003.

Pol Gen Thanee yesterday admitted police involvement in the disappearance of Mr Somchai was obstructing the investigation.

Police have been unable to recover the body or trace the whereabouts of the lawyer.

On the disappearance of Pol Maj Ngern Thongsuk, a key defendant in the Somchai case, Pol Gen Thanee said it could not be assumed the officer was dead since his body had not been found. Police are still searching for him.

Pol Maj Ngern and a relative, Naruechai Chinwannarat, disappeared in a mudslide on Sept 19, 2008, while they were supervising the construction of a reservoir.

Naruechai's body was retrieved but Pol Maj Ngern is unaccounted for.

Pol Gen Thanee was confident the investigation would make some progress due to a change of government.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-01-28

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/1360...mpt-on-american

[taxexile]

good points srj , as it seems likely that there will be some progress in this case now.

[sriracha john]

Please consider merging with related thread:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Farang-Shot-...&hl=Whiting

As the shooting is definitely not a rumour, could consideration please be made to update and retitle the thread? Perhaps something along the lines of:

American shot in Hua Hin, three Thai suspects arrested

Additionally, consideration to moving this thread to News Clippings Forum might also be given to provide for wider dissemination of this news.

Thank you.

[GungaDin]

C'mon Soundman, do your stuff, here's yr big op.

[Jai Dee]

Threads merged into a single topic in the News Clippings Forum.

[george]

Three arrests in Hua Hin Expat case

Three held in murder attempt on American

One week after being ordered by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to speed up the case, police have apprehended three suspects they say were involved in the attempted murder of a US national in Hua Hin last year.

Yutthana Areesawat, 36, Samart Areesawat, 41 and Ek-anand Jitmahima, 50, were arrested yesterday in the resort district in Prachuap Khiri Khan in connection with the shooting of Donald Whiting.

The 65-year-old US national, whose wife is deputy rector of Stamford International University in neighbouring Phetchaburi's Cha-am district, was shot twice in front of his house on the night of Oct 24.

Hua Hin police chief Kasana Chamsawang said Mr Whiting had since moved to Bangkok as he needed to continue his medical treatment. Mr Whiting has a bullet lodged in his neck.

After the three confessed to attempted murder they were taken to the crime scene for a re-enactment of the crime.

Mr Yutthana said he had been hired for 200,000 baht to kill the American by the wife of a foreigner developing a major housing estate in Hua Hin.

Police said they needed to gather more evidence before a warrant could be issued for the arrest of the mastermind.

Mr Whiting had reportedly criticised the developer over the construction of his house before the local media. He was shot soon after lodging a complaint with local agencies.

His car was also set ablaze at his home on July 3.

The arrests came after the prime minister last Wednesday ordered deputy national police chief Thanee Somboonsap and assistant police chief Aswin Kwanmuang to double their efforts in cracking four high-profile crime cases, including the shooting of Mr Whiting.

The other three cases involve the murders of four Saudis in 1989 and 1990, the disappearance of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit in 2004, and the killing of Kornthep Viriya, alias "Shipping Moo", in 2003.

Pol Gen Thanee yesterday admitted police involvement in the disappearance of Mr Somchai was obstructing the investigation.

Police have been unable to recover the body or trace the whereabouts of the lawyer.

On the disappearance of Pol Maj Ngern Thongsuk, a key defendant in the Somchai case, Pol Gen Thanee said it could not be assumed the officer was dead since his body had not been found. Police are still searching for him.

Pol Maj Ngern and a relative, Naruechai Chinwannarat, disappeared in a mudslide on Sept 19, 2008, while they were supervising the construction of a reservoir.

Naruechai's body was retrieved but Pol Maj Ngern is unaccounted for.

Pol Gen Thanee was confident the investigation would make some progress due to a change of government.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-01-28

[Kharzi]

the thai news is reporting that the hua hin police have been asked by higher powers to get this case solved quickly.

possibly as a result of representations made by the us embassy ?

And the involvement of the inestimable Andrew Drummond.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Police on Thursday arrested the mastermind of the attempted murder of a US national in Hua Hin last year when she was about to escape to the neighbouring Cambodia.

Junpen Yungyu, 48, wife of a foreigner developing a major housing estate in Hua Hin, was arrested at Aranyaprathet district by immigration police for ordering the murder of Donald Whiting, whose wife is deputy rector of Stamford International University, according to assistant police chief Aswin Kwanmuang.

The arrest came only a week after Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva ordered police to speed up the case.

On Tuesday, police apprehended three suspects they said were involved in the attempted murder of Mr Whiting in the resort district in prachuap Khiri Khan. The three confessed to attempted murder, and one said he was hired for 200,000 baht to kill the American by Mrs Junpen.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...erican-arrested

[sriracha john]

Thai police arrest alleged mastermind in shooting of US citizen

Bangkok - Thai immigration police on Thursday arrested the alleged mastermind of a murder attempt on an US citizen, a case the prime minister last week ordered the police to prioritize.

Janpen Oxley, 48, the Thai wife of British national Darren Oxley, was arrested at 7 am Thursday at Aranyaprathet on the Thai-Cambodian border.

"Janpen asked for an entry stamp to Cambodia, but when her name popped up on the computer there was an alert that an arrest warrant had been issued for her," Immigration Police Lieutenant-Colonel Benjapol Lortsawat said in a telephone interview from Aranyaprathet, 200 kilometres east of Bangkok.

"She had been waiting at the border checkpoint since 4 am," said Benjapol. "Janpen told immigration officials she wanted to get in to Poipet to help a friend who had lost her money at the casinos." Poipet, Cambodia, is a popular gambling destination for Thais.

Janpen is the alleged mastermind behind the attempted murder of Donald Whiting in Hua Hin, a beach resort 130 kilometres south-west of Bangkok, on October 24.

Thai police on Tuesday arrested three suspected gunmen in the shooting of Whiting, 65, who was embroiled in two property disputes in Hua Hin, an upmarket beach resort that has become popular among foreign retirees.

The three suspects confessed to having been hired by Janpen to kill Whiting for 200,000 baht (5,714 dollars).

Police have also issued an arrest warrant for Oxley, a British national who has invested in several housing developments in Hua Hin.

Whiting had bought a house from Oxley, but complained he had been overcharged for water supplies.

Whiting, an ex-marine who has been living in Hua Hin for the past five years, was involved in a second property dispute with another foreign developer who had been contracted to build a 13.6-million-baht villa in the resort for him and his wife, Dolly Samson.

The US couple claim that the contractor took their money and left them with an unfinished, sub-standard, concrete monstrosity instead of the Thai-Bali style mansion they had dreamed of.

Whiting was a frequent contributor to websites dedicated to complaints about property scams at Hua Hin.

Whiting's car was set on fire in July 2008, and shortly afterwards he was shot in the neck, leaving him partially paralysed. He was shot a day before a court hearing in which he was scheduled to open a lawsuit against Janpen and her husband.

Property scams have been widely reported in Hua Hin, known as the "royal resort," a favourite summer retreat for Thai high society. More recently it has drawn a plethora of world-class hotel chains and posh boutique getaways.

The Whiting case was one of four unsolved crimes that newly appointed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva last week ordered the national police chief to solve.

The other cases include the slaying of four Saudi nationals in 1989 and 1990, the disappearance and suspected murder of human rights lawyer Somchai Neelpaijit in 2004, and the 2003 slaying of Kornthep Viriya, a shipping agent and key witness in a tax evasion case against a company owned by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

- DPA / 2009-01-29

[taxexile]

anybody got a picture of darren oxley ?

[Miserere]

So it was Darren Oxleys wife who was the "mastermind" and not Oxley himself eh?

Hmmmmmm.

[jumnien]

What projects was Darren Oxley involved with in Hua Hin?

[BangkokHank]

One of the hitmen (the big, ugly one) didn't even bother taking off his police-issued brown uniform pants and T-shirt, nor did he wait until his police haircut grew out. I wonder what profession he practiced before entering the murder-for-hire business?

And do you think there is any connection between the length of time it took to find the culprits in this case and the fact that the mastermind is/was a big financial supporter of the local police?

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

A little more info...........Famous in UK also.

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2009/01/30/...he-footsoldier/

[linglop]

[apetley]

'Mrs Junpen Oxley, 31, was arrested in Sa Kaew Thursday for allegedly masterminding a murder attempt on her British husband; Darren. She was trying to go to Cambodia when she was arrested.'

The above is currently on the front page of the Nation website.

I'm confused!!!!!

Has she tried to bump off her builder husband too?

Or is it that the Nation can't put together a story properly?

[jumnien]

Ms Oxley is sometimes listed in the media as 31 years old and other times at 48 years old. The first thing I do when I open the Nation is make sure they've got the date correct on the front page!