Two men wanted for murder of night-entertainment tycoon in Bangkok

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Two men wanted for murder of tycoon
Kornkamol Aksorndej
The Nation



Wife says woman called 'K' behind killing, putting motive down to Bt20m loan

BANGKOK: -- THE SOUTHERN BANGKOK Criminal Court yesterday approved arrest warrants for two male suspects based on sketches, confirmed by witnesses, in the murders of former night-entertainment tycoon Somyot Suthangkool.

The suspects, both of whom are said to be dark and in their 30s, will face charges of premeditated murder and possessing and carrying a gun into a public place. They are believed to be the gunman and the driver of the getaway motorbike.

Meanwhile, members of Somyot's family said yesterday that a close friend of the victim, a woman referred to only as "K", was involved in the killing.

Apart from the Bt4-million gambling debt as a motive, police also focused on the other Bt20 million he was owed after the victim's wife Rassamee and his daughter Natthida provided more information to investigators yesterday.

Somyot, former owner of the once well-known Rama IX Cafe, was shot dead on Monday evening in front of his wife outside a shark-fin restaurant in Bangkok.

Deputy police chief Pol Lt-General Ruangsak Jarit-ek later said the family members had provided useful information and hence the two motives - involving four individuals who owed Somyot about Bt4 million from a game of poker and the Bt20-million debt - carried more weight in the investigation.

Ruangsak said "L" - who is K's husband - was asked to provide information to police yesterday, but he refused claiming fear of his safety. An informed source later said police had taken L to an unidentified location to hear his testimony.

Police were to ask him about the Bt4-million poker debt and the Bt20 million owed to Somyot, the source said, adding that police would also be summoning another man and L's sister for information.

Meanwhile, Ruangsak said Somyot had previously filed six police complaints against four persons linked to L for fraud and embezzlement.

He said police had not yet ruled out the other motive about conflict over the plot of land on which Rama IX Cafe was located.

He added that Somyot's family would be provided with police security, and that he was to meet relevant officials later yesterday to discuss the case.

Before meeting investigators at the Klong Tan Police Station yesterday, grieving wife Rassamee told reporters that she believed the motive behind the murder was the Bt20 million that K owed Somyot.

Saying that though she and her husband did not think much about the threats Somyot had received earlier, he became anxious and kept a pistol near him while at home after meeting a week ago with a former military officer who was allegedly helping with collecting the debts.

Ruangsak said the former military officer was cooperating with police in relation to the case.

Saying that she was convinced K had a hand in the murder, Rassamee said K had called her on Monday afternoon asking to borrow Bt200,000. When she refused to lend K the money, the latter asked her about her plans for the day, to which Rassamee replied would take Somyot to hospital and that they would have a meal together before returning home.

The wife said that K had been close to Somyot for 20 years and that they even entrusted her with their house keys. Rassamee said K had knowledge of some matters related to her husband that even she, as his wife, did not know.

Rassamee added that two months ago, K had confessed to borrowing Bt20 million to give to her husband for expenses, gambling and buying two plots of land in Chumphon province.

She called on the police to bring the culprits to justice quickly, saying that the family now lived in fear.

Meanwhile, Natthida said reports that K and L had transferred the Chumphon land plots over to Somyot to pay the debt were untrue.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Two-men-wanted-for-murder-of-tycoon-30263560.html


-- The Nation 2015-07-02

[Pimay1]

the latter asked her about her plans for the day, to which Rassamee replied would take Somyot to hospital and that they would have a meal together before returning home.

Sounds like my gf. She can't stop talking and tells everything she knows, except to me of course.

[Happy Grumpy]

the latter asked her about her plans for the day, to which Rassamee replied would take Somyot to hospital and that they would have a meal together before returning home.

Sounds like my gf. She can't stop talking and tells everything she knows, except to me of course.

And have you seen her hanging around with these two?

[jerojero]

Tycoon? You mean mafia kingpin perhaps?

[farang000999]

Caught him lacking, in the words of Chief Keef.

[geriatrickid]

Tycoon? You mean mafia kingpin perhaps?

Sounds more like a loan shark.

[FloridaExport]

Can we assume that the suspects in this case have money because the newspaper doesn't mention them by name for fear of a slander lawsuit?

[SOTIRIOS]

...and why are they withholding the names.....

[Pimay1]

the latter asked her about her plans for the day, to which Rassamee replied would take Somyot to hospital and that they would have a meal together before returning home.

Sounds like my gf. She can't stop talking and tells everything she knows, except to me of course.

And have you seen her hanging around with these two?

Good one. To answer your question, no. She spends most of her time with a gang of old hens going fishing.

[JeremyBowskill]

Just glad it wasn't Chuwit, I would really miss that guy, one of Thailand's funniest guys.

[halloween]

...and why are they withholding the names.....

Yesterday's other paper had both. He was Lek, hers I can't remember.

K ripped Somyot, gave the money to husband Lek who blew it gambling. Somyot twigged, wanted his dosh back and called in the heavies. Lek had him capped.

Nothing personal, just business, Thai style.

Edited July 2, 2015 by halloween

[mercman24]

typical thai cops giving out all this what should be private information to all and sundry for all to read.once again LAUGHING STOCK when will they learn to keep their big gobs shut, ok the answer is NEVER , police protection ?? "yeah right" ??