Canvasser Of Candidate In Chiang Mai Shot

[george]

Canvasser of candidate in Chiang Mai shot dead

CHIANG MAI: -- A key canvasser of a leading candidate in yesterday's provincial election in Chiang Mai was shot dead late Saturday night in an attack that police suspect may have been politically motivated.

Surarat Muangnoy was shot once in the back of the head while he was playing snooker at a club in the province's Muang district shortly before midnight Saturday. He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

The gunman arrived with three other men in a pickup, police quoted witnesses as saying. Gunshots were heard during the getaway, they said.

Investigators suspect the murder was motivated by a conflict over local politics, gambling or another illegal business, said a source close to the investigation.

Surarat was a canvasser for Udonpan Janviroj, a candidate in yesterday's election for chairman of Chiang Mai's Provincial Administrative Organisation. Surarat also ran in the recent city election, the results of which have yet to be endorsed by the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, a pickup was stopped at a police checkpoint about 300 metres from the scene of the shooting shortly after the attack, police said.

The three occupants identified themselves as Border Patrol Police and four pistols were found in their possession.

However, police concluded they had nothing to do with the murder and they were allowed to go, said Lt-Colonel Vichian Chaisupap, the officer in charge of the investigation

--The Nation 2004-03-14

[francois]

getting hot

Another one ...

Building damaged, but no one was hit

Therdsak Jiamkijwattana, a political canvasser for PAO presidential candidate Udornphan Chantaraviroj, was shot at three times in what turned into a wild shootout at Chiang Mai Journalists Association building.

Therdsak survived the ordeal, and in fact didn’t even get hit, but did manage to pop off a few shots of his own, which he said chased the gunmen away. No one, either in or out of the office, was injured.

francois

[Ajarn]

getting hot

Another one ...

Building damaged, but no one was hit

Therdsak Jiamkijwattana, a political canvasser for PAO presidential candidate Udornphan Chantaraviroj, was shot at three times in what turned into a wild shootout at Chiang Mai Journalists Association building.

Therdsak survived the ordeal, and in fact didn’t even get hit, but did manage to pop off a few shots of his own, which he said chased the gunmen away. No one, either in or out of the office, was injured.

francois

And, if I remember correctly, arch nemesis of khun Busaborn Yongbaitoey , also a PAO Head candidate, and Busaborn's husband, Maj Gen. Intharat Yongbaitoey, better known locally as SaeMoi, an 'Influential' Senator now, but before that, he was better known for his dealings with night bazar mafia some years ago..His brother was arrested last year for smuggling Thai guns to Burma. a few months later, he was shot and wounded because of alleged 'business conflicts'....

Chiang Mai sure ain't boring

(p.s. How was the pie?)

[Norman d'Plume]

Friend's wife went to vote. Desperate to be there on time. Waited for the normal half hour or so before leaving in disgust.

"They are all totally corrupt. I couldn't vote because there is not a single honest candidate..."

Seems to say it all.