Gunman Who Shot Songkhla Mayor Nabbed, Five Sought

[Lite Beer]

'Gunman' who shot Songkhla mayor nabbed, five sought

Santiphab Ramasut

The Nation on Sunday

SONGKHLA: -- Paisal Nuphan, a suspected gunman in the November 7 murder of Nakhon Songkhla Municipality mayor Peera Tantiseranee, surrendered yesterday to police at the Muang Songkhla precinct amid tight security.

Paisal was charged with conspiracy to murder, possessing a gun and ammunition without permission and carrying a weapon in a public place.

He denied all charges.

Police took Paisal, 47 - suspected of belonging to a gun-for-hire racket in Ra Note district - to search a house on Nan Sarn Road that belonged to Provincial Administrative Organisation president Uthit Chuchuay, as Paisal was reportedly a close aide of Uthit and lived in this house, in order to look for more evidence.

Uthit was the elder brother of Kitti Chuchuay, the owner of Simila Radio Station, where the pick-up suspected of being used in the shooting was found.

Paisal had a prior murder offence in Ra Note district five years ago.

The police investigation found six people involved in the shooting, including Paisal, but police were gathering evidence for arrest warrants for the remaining five, an informed source reported.

The key evidence against Paisal includes a spent Carbine bullet found in the suspicious four-door pick-up truck because it matched those found at the scene as well as the car registration paper and a picture of the racket's head. Police were summoning 10 eyewitnesses to give information but none dared to be a witness because they fear for their lives.

Meanwhile, Songkhla residents continued to mourn Peera's death. Many laid flowers yesterday and posted messages praising Peera at the shooting scene, the Songkhla Forum Office. The source reported messages such as; "Being a politician that won people's hearts isn't easy but you did that, Peera Tantiseranee. We will not forget you." People said they loved and respected Peera as a good politician who did great things for Songkhla City and none foresaw that he would be shot dead. They urged police to punish the gunmen and the mastermind.

-- The Nation 2012-11-11

[asiawatcher]

Very sad this man was taken down. I hope justice is swift on these people who committed the crime. Extremely violent crimes such as these are inexcusable when propagated simply of politics or religious spats. There is nothing civilised in any society who condones this. As to the witnesses being in fear of their lives, closed court hearings and protecting the identities of those witnesses can easily be held. But like the son of the PTP top cop who shot a cop, more than 200 people in the disco where the execution took place on Petchaburi Road, and not one would testify. Thailand can really be a piece of crap sometimes.

[hgma]

much has been written about politics and trics, but i dear say it is a profession to be respected for.

correct me if i am wrong

A weekly media coverage about the inability and corrupted political system.

After new election the probability of a courtcase or even going to jail in 50% change rate.

And southern politicians ,(and with them monks, rubber tappers, or just wrong place wrong time old folks) gunned down by looneys!

respect, sincerely.

[espinoza]

"Paisal had a prior murder offence in Ra Note district five years ago." Can someone tell me why this man was set free ?

Money ?

[jaltsc]

"Paisal had a prior murder offence in Ra Note district five years ago." Can someone tell me why this man was set free ?

Money ?

No, because of all his charitable work with the needy

[Buchholz]

Police took Paisal, 47 - suspected of belonging to a gun-for-hire racket in Ra Note district - to search a house on Nan Sarn Road that belonged to Provincial Administrative Organisation President Uthit Chuchuay, as Paisal was reportedly a close aide of Uthit and lived in this house, in order to look for more evidence.

Uthit was the elder brother of Kitti Chuchuay, the owner of Simila Radio Station, where the pick-up suspected of being used in the shooting was found.

Last night, police arrested the aforementioned Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation President Uthit Chuchuay on charges of hiring hit men to murder Songkhla Mayor Peera Tantiseranee.

He was the fifth person arrested in this case and denied any involvement when he was taken into custody.

.

[OzMick]

Looking for a promotion? Reminds me of the two vultures in a tree, one says "<deleted> patience, I'm gunna kill something!"

[edwinchester]

If you read todays news the suspected gunman is being held in custody whilst the suspected mastermind has been released on bail.

No surprises there.

[Buchholz]

If you read todays news the suspected gunman is being held in custody whilst the suspected mastermind has been released on bail.

No surprises there.

Well, there is a smidgen of surprise.

The lawyer for murder suspect Utit requested bail and offered 5 million baht as collateral.

The court accepted the bail request and then lowered the amount to 3 million baht.

.

Edited January 24, 2013 by Buchholz

[OzMick]

If you read todays news the suspected gunman is being held in custody whilst the suspected mastermind has been released on bail.

No surprises there.

Well, there is a smidgen of surprise.

The lawyer for murder suspect Utit requested bail and offered 5 million baht as collateral.

The court accepted the bail request and then lowered the amount to 3 million baht.

Wouldn't want to leave him short of readies in case he needs to make a "donation".