Kathu orchard watchman shot in cold blood, police suspect land access dispute
Eakkapop Thongtub

PHUKET: At about 9pm last night, Phuket police's 191 emergency hotline received a call to report a shooting murder at an orchard near Bang Wad Dam in Kathu, and promptly dispatched a team to investigate.

When Kathu police officers and Kusoldham workers arrived to the scene, a house in Moo 7 village, on a hill near one of the island's main reservoirs, they found a shirtless and lifeless corpse lying on its backside, with a bullet wound on the chest below the right nipple.

A spent bullet cartridge was also found near the body, which was collected as evidence.

The victim, a large-framed male wearing only black shorts, was identified as Mr Wongduean Jaithong, 46, of Mukdahan, the watchman of a durian, rambutan, longan and mangosteen orchard belonging to a “Phuket entrepreneur”.

He was already dead when police arrived. Kusoldham rescuers collected the body for further forensic inspection.

Police have already identified a key suspect but have asked The Phuket News to withhold his name until an arrest has been made.

The suspect, a resident of Rawai, is thought to have had a dispute with the victim, who was “building a wall that blocked access to other people's orchards,” police said.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/kathu-orchard-watchman-shot-in-cold-blood-police-suspect-land-access-dispute-48723.php

-- Phuket News 2014-09-14

A dispute with a neighbour about a wall and then shot . Not news just another example of how thais deal with day to day minor differences

Had this happened a few towns south, it would have probably been reported as insurgent activity.

Hard to tell the players without a scorecard, and the local and national media certainly don't make it easier. I can't help but wonder how many "insurgent attacks" are plain vanilla land and business disputes.

Condolences to the guy and his family.

probably best us "Aliens" do not own land. Imagine if you had to face this and its not uncommon in a country with flexible rules and utterly corrupt leaders.

A dispute with a neighbour about a wall and then shot . Not news just another example of how thais deal with day to day minor differences

Its not just Thais, look at Russia, USA, British, Australia, and of course South Africa.. list could be endless......... Just a stupid man, killing someone...

A number of way way off topic posts removed.