Akeyuth murder: Driver did it, Thai police insist

[webfact]

Driver did it, police insist
The Nation



BANGKOK: -- Police insisted yesterday that the chauffeur of Akeyuth Anchanbutr masterminded his abduction and murder - to rob him of his cash.

Senior police held a press conference to dispute a theory of Akeyuth's lawyer, Suwat Apaipak, that the businessman may have been killed on someone's order.

The senior police included Metropolitan Commissioner Pol Lt-General Khamronwit Thoopkrajang, Crime Suppression Division commander Pol Maj-General Supisal Pakdeenaruenart, and Forensic Medicine Institute Commander Pornchai Sutthikul.

Pornchai brought a team of doctors who performed the autopsy on Akeyuth's body. One told the press that Akeyuth's genitals were not hit, as suspected. The doctor said decomposition had caused swelling and a bruised testicle, as the businessman was killed five days before his body was exhumed. The doctor said there was no trace of injuries on Akeyuth's face either.

A forensic officer told the press conference that they had checked all handprints inside the van and did not find any from other people apart from the handprints of the chauffeur, Santiparb Pengduang, and his accomplice.

Pol Maj-General Naiwat Padoemchit, an officer in charge of the investigation, said that Akeyuth could not escape although there were only two suspects abducting him, because he was handcuffed with his arms behind his back.

Naiwat said the van's doors were also locked with a "baby-locking" system so Akeyuth could not open the doors on his own.

Supisal said he was assigned to check the record of Santiparb and found that the suspect was an aggressive man and could have planned the abduction on his own. Supisal said Santiparb was also addicted to gambling.

Khamronwit said all evidence pointed to Santiparb killing Akeyuth for money. He said if Santiparb had been hired to murder Akeyuth, he would have confessed because his parents were now also facing charges of accepting stolen money.


-- The Nation 2013-06-27

[Siripon]

He might not have confessed to being hired for 2 reasons:

1. Fear of being murdered by the mastermind.

2. He might have been promised, along with his parents to only spend a limited time in jail.

Where is the expensive watch, amulet and gold? If the motive was robbery he wouldn't throw them in a canal as he claimed- and still not found by the police by the way.

What about the phone records of Santiparp prior the abduction?

[NongKhaiKid]

Was there ever any doubt that the police would stick with the original story and produce " evidence ' and " facts " neatly tailored to fit what's needed ?

[ianf]

I think it is common knowledge that the driver has "agreed" to be set up. Case closed. In one year he'll be out of jail with a new identity, a load of cash and the mastermind will have achieved his objectives. Thailand justice is for the powerful, not the poor, and this shows how easy it is to get rid of your political opponents.

[jalansanitwong]

When the accused are taken out to the crime scene in these hi profile cases to re enact the murder they never seem to be too concerned about their plight.

Theyre just going through the motions along with the cops.

Thais who i have spoken to simply shrug their shoulders as nothing changes here.

Confess and we give your family big money and you'll be released at 6 am on a quiet Sunday morning in a few years time when this case is all forgotten.

This insipid weed strangled a tough -dig the graves-Thai man with a piece of string? He couldnt strangle a cat. The cat would beat him up.

[gemini81]

Did their homework on south american techniques on eliminating those who oppose you, criticize you, and how to dispose of evidence like CCTV and phone calls.

[bigbamboo]

He might not have confessed to being hired for 2 reasons:

1. Fear of being murdered by the mastermind.

2. He might have been promised, along with his parents to only spend a limited time in jail.

Where is the expensive watch, amulet and gold? If the motive was robbery he wouldn't throw them in a canal as he claimed- and still not found by the police by the way.

What about the phone records of Santiparp prior the abduction?

I'm guessing Santiparp's phone records will be 'incomplete'.

Edit

Edited June 27, 2013 by bigbamboo

[Thaddeus]

Driver did it, police insist

I think most people will agree with that.

Why he did it? ..... what they want you to believe however, doesn't have any ring of truth to it, not one shred.

[belg]

yes no need to go dig deeper in who wanted the rich man dad, the no education driver did it for a few bucks

case closed

[Soutpeel]

I am impressed with speed at which police got the autospy done....I mean the ones for the Bangkok protesters have only just completed years after the event..

[klauskunkel]

I think it is common knowledge that the driver has "agreed" to be set up. Case closed. In one year he'll be out of jail with a new identity, a load of cash and the mastermind will have achieved his objectives. Thailand justice is for the powerful, not the poor, and this shows how easy it is to get rid of your political opponents.

I agree in essence, however, I believe the stooge will not be able to enjoy his new identity nor the load of cash for too long...

[SOTIRIOS]

.....but did not take his jewellery.........such nonsense..........taken from a script of a Thai soap opera...

....and had to disable his security system....for what......

.....a travesty..........

[Baerboxer]

I think it is common knowledge that the driver has "agreed" to be set up. Case closed. In one year he'll be out of jail with a new identity, a load of cash and the mastermind will have achieved his objectives. Thailand justice is for the powerful, not the poor, and this shows how easy it is to get rid of your political opponents.

I agree in essence, however, I believe the stooge will not be able to enjoy his new identity nor the load of cash for too long...

Yep - he'll probably be so full of remorse that suicide will be his only release. No loose ends. Case closed and buried.

[tonneke breda]

Why is it difficult to believe anything in this case

[GeorgeO]

I think it is common knowledge that the driver has "agreed" to be set up. Case closed. In one year he'll be out of jail with a new identity, a load of cash and the mastermind will have achieved his objectives. Thailand justice is for the powerful, not the poor, and this shows how easy it is to get rid of your political opponents.

Perhaps the lawyer opposing the story (which has clearly been fabricated by the police, or rather, their masters) should simply agree that Santiparp is the perpetrator, then he could argue that this is such a heinous crime, that it deserves the death penalty, and they would go all the way to ensure that such a penalty was applied in this case. I think Santiparp might then wish to change his story!

[khunken]

I think it is common knowledge that the driver has "agreed" to be set up. Case closed. In one year he'll be out of jail with a new identity, a load of cash and the mastermind will have achieved his objectives. Thailand justice is for the powerful, not the poor, and this shows how easy it is to get rid of your political opponents.

Perhaps the lawyer opposing the story (which has clearly been fabricated by the police, or rather, their masters) should simply agree that Santiparp is the perpetrator, then he could argue that this is such a heinous crime, that it deserves the death penalty, and they would go all the way to ensure that such a penalty was applied in this case. I think Santiparp might then wish to change his story!

Well normal verdicts reduce the death penalty to life imprisonment if the accused 'confesses' - which he did.

This is just normal police 'work'. Get a simple scapegoat who cooperates and there's no need to look into any awkward clues that might point to 'influential parties' aka masterminds. Chalerm has given instructions so that clinches it. Case 'solved'.

[Thereisnoif]

Who else ?