Four suspected hitmen shot dead in South shootout
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- FOUR MEN believed to be contract killers were killed in a gunfight yesterday at Don Tanot School in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, police said.

An police investigation is underway to uncover further information about the killings.

At 8:30am, local police were alerted and rushed to the scene, where they came across the dead men lying next to an Isuzu pickup truck on a concrete road near the old meeting hall on the school's campus.

About 20 spent 9-millimetre, 11mm and 5.56mm cartridges were found nearby.

The dead men were positively identified as Kriengkrai Chumthong, Somchai Homkao, Preecha Iadkaew and Thawat Buathongkham, all from Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The investigation team led by Pol Colonel Weerapol Manmuang, acting deputy commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8, detected traces of rubbed-out cigarettes spread around the area as well as plastic glasses and half a bottle of alcohol.

Marks of another truck were also discovered at the site.

Villagers said they heard the sound of gunfire from the school at about 2am.

Police hypothesised that the gunmen met up to settle a dispute in an isolated area, but failed to do so amicably.

Pol Lt-Colonel Chokdee Srimuang, deputy superintendent of Nakhon Si Thammarat Police Station, said one of the gunmen, Kriengkrai was suspected to be the hired hitman who killed the family of the mayor of Tambon Khao Chumthong two years ago. The case against him was still proceeding in court, he said.

Also, police were told that the murdered gunmen might have been involved with a hired killers' network in Phatthalung and some other illicit businesses.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Four-suspected-hitmen-shot-dead-in-South-shootout-30254647.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-23

"Kriengkrai was suspected to be the hired hitman who killed the family of the mayor of Tambon Khao Chumthong two years ago."

One thing I've learned from traveling: Every culture has its own version of a psychopath.

Looks like someone is weeding out the competition. The 5.56 mm cartridges indicate the use of an assault rifle, quite a bit of heavy artillery for an "amicable" settlement.

Reminds me of the Thaksin drug clean up of 2004.

Villagers said they heard the sound of gunfire from the school at about 2am.

At 8:30am, local police were alerted and rushed to the scene

Wow, Just 6,5 hours later!

Villagers said they heard the sound of gunfire from the school at about 2am.

At 8:30am, local police were alerted and rushed to the scene

Wow, Just 6,5 hours later!

That's because they are afraid of being attacked by ghosts! 555

They went the way they lived, zero sympathy. Why was the man accused of murdering a mayors family even out on bail, yeah,stupid question.

I've heard it said many times, both by Thais and long-term expats, that Nakhon Si Tammarat is a nest of hitmen. And here I read that these 4 guys were from that city. Anyone here knows why and how NST has acquired such a disturbing reputation ? And how much of it is true ?

Not sure about these guys, perhaps someone settling a score from prior job.

Or maybe undercover government agents taking out the trash.

I've heard it said many times, both by Thais and long-term expats, that Nakhon Si Tammarat is a nest of hitmen. And here I read that these 4 guys were from that city. Anyone here knows why and how NST has acquired such a disturbing reputation ? And how much of it is true ?

Yes, indeed...

Nakhon Sri is keeping upon its own reputation

Except for Jatuporn, but that's another story...

Good riddance probably.

Karma with Som nam na ....

Villagers said they heard the sound of gunfire from the school at about 2am.

At 8:30am, local police were alerted and rushed to the scene

Wow, Just 6,5 hours later!

And why not, starting time at the station is probably 7.30, followed by a bit of a chat, cup of coffee and a snack or 2 before getting down to the day's work, and maybe there was no rush as they were already well aware of the early morning event - nudge nudge wink wink

Not sure about these guys, perhaps someone settling a score from prior job.

Or maybe undercover government agents taking out the trash.

Very possible, understandable and commendable

"Kriengkrai was suspected to be the hired hitman who killed the family of the mayor of Tambon Khao Chumthong two years ago."

One thing I've learned from traveling: Every culture has its own version of a psychopath.

How could this murderer be running around free and how could his case still be in court after 2 years incredible.