The Prachin Buri provincial court has ordered the 12-day detention of the seven suspects arrested for alleged involvement in the murder of former provincial councillor Chaimet Sitthisanitphong, at the house of Sunthorn Wilawan, Prachin Buri PAO mayor, on the night of December 11th.
The suspects have been identified as Sunthorn Wilawan, ‘Thanasarun’, ‘Saksith’, ‘Thanapat’, ‘Abhisit’, ‘Sitthichai’ and ‘Patthranon’. Police allege that Thanasarun and Saksith were the two gunmen, while the others are accomplices in the murder. They have all been charged with premediated murder.
In seeking court approval for the extended detentions of the suspects, Prachin Buri district police accuse them of conspiring in the murder of Chaimet by dividing responsibilities among them and making an appointment for the victim to visit Sunthorn’s house with the intention to kill him.
According to the police filing, firearms were brought into the house before the victim was due to arrive.
Police allege that Sunthorn was unhappy that Chaimet wanted his wife to stand in the PAO election next year, as he has had already chosen his own candidate.
Sunthorn and Chaimet had a heated quarrel at the house, but both appeared to have settled their conflict after the quarrel and Chaimet entered the house.
As Chaimet was leaving Sunthorn’s second floor bedroom, after seeing him off to bed, he returned to the ground floor, where the two shooters were waiting and opened fire, killing him on the spot.
Police have seized several handguns and a large amount of ammunition from the house following a search.
Both Thanasarun and Saksith have allegedly confessed to shooting Chaimet while the other suspects have denied any involvement.
