Murder Suspect Of Anti-Coal Activist Shot Dead Before Court Trial: Thailand

[webfact]

MURDER OF ANTI-COAL ACTIVIST

Murder suspect shot dead before court trial

SUMET CHANSA-ARD

THE NATION

A murder suspect heading to a court trial was shot dead in downtown Samut Sakhon's Muang district yesterday morning.

SAMUT SAKHON: -- Police suspect he was killed in a "hush killing" to prevent him from revealing a murder mastermind, or he may have died over illegal activities or some personal conflict.

The 28-year-old suspect, Sutchadech Thabkrai, was on his way to testify in court about the killing of Mahachai anti-coal activist Thongnak Sawekjinda. He was shot dead in front of Tisco Bank, only 100 metres from the Muang Samut Sakhon police station.

It was reported Sutchadech's killers might have been in the same pickup truck involved in the Thongnak murder.

Following the 11am shooting report, police found the body of Sutchadech, riddled with 10 gunshots to his head, face and upper body, in his Isuzu pickup truck. They collected 10 spent bullets from inside the vehicle.

Police investigation found that while Sutchadech was waiting for a green light at an intersection, a black Mitsubishi pickup truck stopped next to his and the gunmen opened fire. One jumped out to shoot him at close range before hopping back onto the truck which sped away on Mahachai Road towards Rama II Road.

Police are checking security cameras for images of the suspects, said Samut Sakhon police investigator Pol Colonel Chomchawin Purathananon.

Sutchadech was reportedly involved in the killing of Thongnak, working as the target identifier and procurer of a gun. Police announced the arrest of Sutchadech and three other men, including the gunman, in early August, 2011. They subsequently issued an arrest warrant for coal transport operator Thanayos Wongpim, who was accused as a hirer and later turned himself in.

The murder of Thongnak attracted wide publicity because of his conservation activities. Thongnak was fatally shot by two gunmen on a motorcycle in front of his house in Tha Sai subdistrict of Samut Sakhon's Muang district and was pronounced dead at a hospital on July 28, 2011.

Police, as well as Thongnak's wife Jomkwan Sawekjinda and many local people, suspect the shooting was motivated by Thongnak's long protest against a coal transportation project in the sub-district.

Only days before his death,Thongnak led a road blockade protest which resulted in authorities announcing a temporary suspension of coal transportation in the area. However, the transportation went on secretly until Thongnak and other demonstrators ambushed the coal trucks and sent details to the police.

A day before his death, Thongnak went before the Administrative Court to testify and give more information against a coal company. His wife said he received many death threats.

-- The Nation 2012-05-04

[David48]

Thailand really comes across as the 'Wild' West' sometimes.

Note to self ... if ever a witness to a major crime, act like all the 3 wise monkeys.

No officer, I didn't hear, see or speak to anyone.

[Pseudolus]

Just why exactly was a murder suspect out on bail anyway?

[BigJohnnyBKK]

An object lesson case study to point to when a farang is cautioned against going into business in Thailand, or talking about working against social injustice here.

It's true that most of the time the criminal mafias running the place will ignore us and leave us alone, but to the extent an outsider shows themselves as potentially effective and starts to have a real impact on the interests of TPTB, the dangers are completely unpredictable.

Along with the more prosaic evidence of corruption throughout the social, political and economic fabric of the country, this IMO is what is holding Thailand and other similar countries in this part of the world back from full participation in global business investment.

Which of course is fine for those already holding the biggest slices of the pie here.

[Buchholz]

Just why exactly was a murder suspect out on bail anyway?

In Thailand, it can even be worse-er than that.

Even with very serious criminal convictions, one can still go free on bail until their appeal is heard.

Kamnan Poh is a good example of that.

He was convicted and found guilty of murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

He was released on bail to appeal that conviction and hasn't been heard from since (five years).

http://www.thaivisa....wer-the-lowest/

[jimmybkk]

"Following the 11am shooting report, police found the body of Sutchadech, riddled with 10 gunshots to his head, face and upper body, in his Isuzu pickup truck. They collected 10 spent bullets from inside the vehicle."

Leaving the door open for a possible verdict of suicide....?

What a brave man.... It sounds like he had made some powerful enemies and he kept on protesting to the end. My condolences to his family.

Does anyone know what exactly he was protesting about? He must have considered it to be important if he deemed it a cause worth possibly dying for. I've not been following the news so I have no idea what it was about.

[EarthAlien]

"police found the body of Sutchadech, riddled with 10 gunshots to his head, face and upper body"

If this was a "suicide" as someone suggested then he sure wanted to make sure that he did a proper job on himself using 9 rounds more than the typical single round generally associated with suicide.

Seems someone wanted to make sure that his silence was absolute!

[Hyponeros]

A known murder suspect walks around free?

Looks like a murderer is less a threat to the society than a suspected author of a couple of SMS.

[belg]

why oh why was he not already in jail if he was part of a murder ? miracle thailand ?

[RickBradford]

The Thai press describes the shooters' vehicle as "a 4-door black Mitsubishi Triton pick-up in new condition".

Even in pick-up truck crazy Thailand, I would think the cops could track that down without much trouble.

The question is, do they want to?

[Payboy]

What a brave man.... It sounds like he had made some powerful enemies and he kept on protesting to the end. My condolences to his family.

Does anyone know what exactly he was protesting about? He must have considered it to be important if he deemed it a cause worth possibly dying for. I've not been following the news so I have no idea what it was about.

Did you read the OP? The victim was a suspect in the killing of a protestor. He was likely an hired gunman himself.

Edited May 4, 2012 by Payboy

[sparebox2]

Krama.

You receive what you did.

[supaprik]

more scum off the streets..

[sfm]

http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21875

...

Yothin Theprian, the alleged shooter [of Thongnak Sawekjinda] , turned himself in to police on Aug. 1, apparently as he feared that he would be “silenced” in turn by those who commissioned the murder. He said he killed Thongnak for a 40,000 baht (US $1340) payment.

...

As we can now see, the fear was not for nothing.

Wonder how many would believe that we see anyone of the masterminds in jail, even for just a short time?

A few brave men work to counter corporate abuse and have laws followed.

How poorly they are helped by authorities and the government.

Long live the name of Thongnak Sawekjinda.

[daninthai]

"Following the 11am shooting report, police found the body of Sutchadech, riddled with 10 gunshots to his head, face and upper body, in his Isuzu pickup truck. They collected 10 spent bullets from inside the vehicle."

Leaving the door open for a possible verdict of suicide....?

What a brave man.... It sounds like he had made some powerful enemies and he kept on protesting to the end. My condolences to his family.

Does anyone know what exactly he was protesting about? He must have considered it to be important if he deemed it a cause worth possibly dying for. I've not been following the news so I have no idea what it was about.

The spent bullets were inside the vehicle. I'm guessing the casings were NOT inside.

[ralphlsasser]

No big loss.

[clockman]

The word for Thai business plan, is a revolver !

[farang000999]

Was this man recieving protection from police? Was he staying at home awaiting trial? Who was with him at the time of the crime? Were there police protecting him? Since he has already given statements cant those be used against those he indicted or has he not yet managed a statement of accusation?

[Thai at Heart]

If he confessed why isn't he behind bars?

http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21875

...

Yothin Theprian, the alleged shooter [of Thongnak Sawekjinda] , turned himself in to police on Aug. 1, apparently as he feared that he would be “silenced” in turn by those who commissioned the murder. He said he killed Thongnak for a 40,000 baht (US $1340) payment.

...

As we can now see, the fear was not for nothing.

Wonder how many would believe that we see anyone of the masterminds in jail, even for just a short time?

A few brave men work to counter corporate abuse and have laws followed.

How poorly they are helped by authorities and the government.

Long live the name of Thongnak Sawekjinda.

[OzMick]

Krama.

You receive what you did.

He lived next door to Seinfield.

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post has been removed.

[TeddyFlyfisherDavis]

"Following the 11am shooting report, police found the body of Sutchadech, riddled with 10 gunshots to his head, face and upper body, in his Isuzu pickup truck. They collected 10 spent bullets from inside the vehicle."

Leaving the door open for a possible verdict of suicide....?

What a brave man.... It sounds like he had made some powerful enemies and he kept on protesting to the end. My condolences to his family.

Does anyone know what exactly he was protesting about? He must have considered it to be important if he deemed it a cause worth possibly dying for. I've not been following the news so I have no idea what it was about.

The spent bullets were inside the vehicle. I'm guessing the casings were NOT inside.

My question also...10 spent bullets...? So I assume from what they said these were through and through...? Impossible...Not through a car window and through a skull...Unless they used a .357 or more, but then the window would be completely gone...

[PoodMaiDai]

Breaking this down with a little logic...

Any normal civilian who can get 10 shots through a window and into another person's head, face and upper body is one hell of a shot. Assuming the gun was a 9mm which can hold 15 all the way up to 30 rounds depending on the make (smaller & cheaper guns hold less), and only 10 rounds were found in the truck, that means every shot connected. For an average Joe shooter to hit 10 lethal shots in a row is pretty remarkable, even at a somewhat close range. Unless of course the person has been trained to shoot, such as someone in the military or the police. *cough* Most normal people are terrible shots. A couple hits maybe, but each time you squeeze the trigger during an adrenaline situation.... yea, right.

I'm sure it was just a coincidence that a murderer was let out of jail and roaming about on his own free will, then just happened to get gunned down.

[peecee]

Just why exactly was a murder suspect out on bail anyway?

Not enough room at the nick for all of them so those with money walk!

[pointoffew]

Safe feeling to live in a country where murder suspects are free to go and drive their car wherever they wish...

[steve down under]

( He was shot dead in front of Tisco Bank, only 100 metres from the Muang Samut Sakhon police station.)

Hmmmm !