Newspaper Reporter Shot Dead In Phuket

[webfact]

Reporter shot dead in Phuket

Fourteen bullet casings were found at the scene near Seemum market in Phuket this morning. INSET: Somchai Kuamsap.

WICHIT, PHUKET: -- Police have launched a manhunt for a killer after a local reporter was found riddled with bullets in Phuket this morning.

The bloodied body of Somchai Kuamsap, 37, was discovered by the side of Chao Fa East Road outside Seemum Market around 4am.

Police found a slip in his wallet indicating Mr Somchai, a reporter at a local Korean language newspaper, was due to appear as a defendant in a robbery case later this month. He was also carrying a knife.

First on the scene were Phuket City Police Duty Officer Somchai Nuubun, Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit, Inspector Wijak “The Magnet” Tarom and other officers. They were accompanied by Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers, Vachira Phuket Hospital doctors and police forensics specialists.

Mr Somchai’s body was face down on the sidewalk. There was a 9mm bullet and 14 casings scattered nearby.

He had been shot 14 times, mostly in the head.

His identity card showed he lived on Soi Samakkee off Yaowarat Road in Phuket Town.

Witnesses told police a man in a black T-shirt got out of a bronze Isuzu pickup near the scene before shooting Mr Somchai repeatedly and driving off in the direction of Phuket Town.

Col Wanchai said it did not look like a professional hit as the number of bullets fired suggested it was done in anger.

Phuket City Police are coordinating with all stations in Phuket to check known cases and killers in connection with the shooting, he said.

Police are investigating a number of possible motives including personal revenge, a business dispute and a love triangle.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-05-07

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Redsunset]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

[mavup]

Risky thing being a reporter in Thailand. Terrible number of journalists killed here for just doing their jobs the way they're supposed to.

So its been established now that he was killed because of his journalistic work?

from OP:

due to appear as a defendant in a robbery case later this month

and not because he allegedly robbed someone?

Edited May 7, 2010 by mavup

[thaicbr]

Phuket to check known cases and killers

RIP to the reporter. But i think the statement above has got to be the scariest.

[BigC]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

[Sisaketmike]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

Who is we? RIP reporter........

[agord]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

huh? yeah it does look like "become more thai more i stay here" from your writing lol or maybe English is not your native tongue apologies if that is the case but regarding your post again huh? we can jump to a conclusion that whoever did this needs to be locked away and we can jump to this conclusion from the fact that he SHOT someone in the head 14 TIMES! Love triangle, didn't like an article, didn't like being robbed...the punishment for any one of these would be a little harsh agree?

[Motoon]

14 times in the head? Someone was mighty pissed...and not really bothered to be seen. To those who feel that they are becoming "more Thai" the longer they stay here...well if your scale of measurement relates to the fact of believing that killing is a convenient way to settle problems, then I disagree with you. You're not becoming "more Thai", just "less human"...

[jfchandler]

I'm a longtime newspaper reporter...so you know where my general sympathies lie...

But, is there anything in this report suggesting in any way that his being murdered had anything to do with his work???

[whistleblower]

First on the scene were Phuket City Police Duty Officer Somchai Nuubun, Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit, Inspector Wijak “The Magnet” Tarom and other officers. They were accompanied by Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers, Vachira Phuket Hospital doctors and police forensics specialists.

"The Magnet"? whats all that about???

[Motoon]

I'm a longtime newspaper reporter...so you know where my general sympathies lie...

But, is there anything in this report suggesting in any way that his being murdered had anything to do with his work???

No

[Bagwan]

First on the scene were Phuket City Police Duty Officer Somchai Nuubun, Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit, Inspector Wijak “The Magnet” Tarom and other officers. They were accompanied by Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers, Vachira Phuket Hospital doctors and police forensics specialists.

"The Magnet"? whats all that about???

Perhaps they meant The Man Get? A Thai version of Knacker of the Yard?

[jfchandler]

Chick Magnet???

[BSJ]

Well the old saying is true. "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight!" Maybe someone wanted him dead before he testified in the court case???

[Eurod]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

Not jump to conclusions ?

The conclusion that he jumped to was that the guy is dead. Is that in some doubt ?

Maybe he is recovering, I dont know. Happens all the time here. BKK and pattaya and phuket.. Im outta here very soon . lawless people with nobody to protect them . corruption rules

[Eurod]

Chick Magnet???

Fridge Magnet ?

[surangw]

was he investigating those time share turds?

[bangon04]

Chick Magnet???

Fridge Magnet ?

Money magnet? Does Gold stick to him as he passes along doing his duty to preserve good order?

[asiawatcher]

Well the old saying is true. "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight!" Maybe someone wanted him dead before he testified in the court case???

Most intelligent blog so far. A 'defendant' he may well have been but who or what was he going to give up thus a threat someone has eliminated - rings like Mafia solutions to me and of course Phuket is not Mafia run and being a reporter to boot...

[BigWheelMan]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

Solly me no understooding that u saying.

This is Thailand and the best way to get along here is, don`t get involved.

Keep a low profile.

RIP to this tragic victim.

[agord]

Well the old saying is true. "Don't bring a knife to a gun fight!" Maybe someone wanted him dead before he testified in the court case???

Testify against himslef? He was the defendant eh.

[agord]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

Solly me no understooding that u saying.

This is Thailand and the best way to get along here is, don`t get involved.

Keep a low profile.

RIP to this tragic victim.

yeah ummm me no kowchai either? what are they going to discover that makes shooting someone in the head 14 times ok? Motive?? Oh he had a motive for filling the guys head with slugs, case closed let him go. Me stay long time Thai but even i stay long time more I not agree is ok do like this na is BAD mak mak loi!

[Thongkorn]

Going on what has been posted, A man with a black T shirt got out of a.. usually a black shirt is associated with a Mafia Hit, Also the Amount of bullets used suggests that it was done as a sign,

[Pitbullman1]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

I well and truly disagree with you, there is no excuse for firing as many bullets into a man's head choose what he has done. This country is running amok and is in desperate need of sorting out these murderers. A punishment is needed to make people think before they act!

[TigerWan]

Going on what has been posted, A man with a black T shirt got out of a.. usually a black shirt is associated with a Mafia Hit, Also the Amount of bullets used suggests that it was done as a sign,

Talk about conjecture! " Black Tshirt means Mafia..."

TiT , not Sicily.

Pros don't empty 14 bullets into a skull , 3 or 4 max and the job is done . Lot of noise , extra time, extra casings laying around with finger prints ( Article states 9 mm , a Glock that holds 14 bullets is a favored police gun, but isn't that a .45? .)

I agree this seems personal, vengeful.

A pro probably wouldn't drive an easily ID'd " bronze Izuzu " truck either.

Edited May 9, 2010 by TigerWan

[Jimi007]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

I well and truly disagree with you, there is no excuse for firing as many bullets into a man's head choose what he has done. This country is running amok and is in desperate need of sorting out these murderers. A punishment is needed to make people think before they act!

Come on, the killer was angry! Why else did he put 14 rounds into his head. We have capitol punishment here in Thailand as well as in the USA. So, what's the deterrent? Don't most people kill because they are enraged or somewhat mental? This is Phuket and southern Thailand, best to not make someone angry, they may just kill you! No, joke... I've been threatened before by a Thai "mafia." I had him arrested and let him go, I didn't want to get shot! He never bothered me again. We say hello to each other now...

[bustersizemore]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

I well and truly disagree with you, there is no excuse for firing as many bullets into a man's head choose what he has done. This country is running amok and is in desperate need of sorting out these murderers. A punishment is needed to make people think before they act!

Come on, the killer was angry! Why else did he put 14 rounds into his head. We have capitol punishment here in Thailand as well as in the USA. So, what's the deterrent? Don't most people kill because they are enraged or somewhat mental? This is Phuket and southern Thailand, best to not make someone angry, they may just kill you! No, joke... I've been threatened before by a Thai "mafia." I had him arrested and let him go, I didn't want to get shot! He never bothered me again. We say hello to each other now...

Mr. Jimi007, 

"We" have capital punishment here...  

Murder with firearms in Thailand is quite common and surpasses that of many of the major crime zones of the world. The feelings of many Thais that I know is that they'll get 3-4 years in prison for a single murder. Yes, they confess to the murder (in spite of overwhelming evidence), their family & friends make compassionate pleas and they're out in the street after several years.

Incarceration and/or capital punishment is not much of a deterrent for many locals who tend not too think things over rationally anyways.

I urge you (and the other readers) to research the number of violent murders in Phuket and make your own conclusions. 

Please don't compare Thailand to the US where there's actually a quasi-functioning legal system.

The problem here is that there is little accountability for one's actions, especially if you're not a foreigner.

 

[bustersizemore]

Jesus, they have to catch this guy and burn him at the stake... typical behavior: "Get pissed off, have an emotional hijack and them act remorseful."

We need to set an example that if you do this type of heinous crime you pay with your own life... need deterrence!

sorry i disagree become more thai more i stay here. sell druhs u kill many people.u shoot some one u kill one person. agree the man should be punished but not jump to conclisions. u have to find the real motive. the real story beforeu cast judgement

I well and truly disagree with you, there is no excuse for firing as many bullets into a man's head choose what he has done. This country is running amok and is in desperate need of sorting out these murderers. A punishment is needed to make people think before they act!

Come on, the killer was angry! Why else did he put 14 rounds into his head. We have capitol punishment here in Thailand as well as in the USA. So, what's the deterrent? Don't most people kill because they are enraged or somewhat mental? This is Phuket and southern Thailand, best to not make someone angry, they may just kill you! No, joke... I've been threatened before by a Thai "mafia." I had him arrested and let him go, I didn't want to get shot! He never bothered me again. We say hello to each other now...

Just one more thought...

Why doesn't someone investigate to see:

What the felons who perpetrated recent crimes in this area have received in terms of sentencing or whether the crimes have been solved. 

A few that I remember in detail (there are many more):

The Patong tuk tuk driver that assaulted a Canadian man recently

The Patong tuk-tuk driver who attacked a French family last December with an umbrella

The man that shot & executed three friends last year near the Chalong post office.

The man who stabbed and killed the foreigner at the Ao Chalong 7-11 several months ago

The execution shooting at the Icon Bar New Year's Eve in Nai Harn (was he even apprehended?)

The stabbing of the foreigner on the near the view point between Kata and Nai Harn last year

The Thai man who was shot in the flower shop near the Chalong circle last year

The throat slashing of the Thai man by his male partner last month

The execution-style murder of the "Farang" restaurant proprietor Chid ''Kit'' Raknang 

The execution-style murder of the Canadian property developer in Patong

The murder the British man in his shophouse home-office near Tesco Lotus supermarket

The daylight murder of Swedish tourist Hanna Backlund at Mai Khao beach in 2008. 

The rapes (and near rapes) that occurred in Nai Harn this past year

[Rathai]

Chick Magnet???

Fridge Magnet ?

Money magnet? Does Gold stick to him as he passes along doing his duty to preserve good order?

Actually, he's the ultimate detective. With the looks of Tom Selleck (Magnum PI) and intellect of Joe Friday (Dragnet)...Mag-Net!!

Edited May 9, 2010 by Rathai