Police arrest suspect in stadium kill
One of two suspects wanted in connection with the death of a security guard at Lumpini Boxing Stadium has been arrested in the border province of Surin while attempting to escape to Cambodia.
Speaking at Bang Khen police station yesterday, Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) chief Sanit Mahathavorn said Jiraphan Koisap, 36, was apprehended on Tuesday.
The news briefing was also attended by MPB deputy chief Pol Maj Gen Surachai Kuandechakup.
The arrest came after Anucha Prathumma, a security guard at the boxing stadium in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district, was shot dead last Friday, allegedly by Yutthana Kularbmuang, Mr Jiraphan’s accomplice who is still at large.
Mr Yutthana, who had driven a motorcycle with Mr Jiraphan as the pillion rider to the stadium, allegedly fired at Anucha while the victim was approaching to help Udom Deekrajang, a boxing judge, who was being beaten by Mr Jiraphan.
Mr Udom sustained injuries after Mr Jiraphan battered him over the head with a piece of wood.
According to police, Mr Jiraphan admitted the altercation stemmed from a personal conflict with Mr Udom over allegedly unfair boxing judging which caused him lose about 20,000 baht in gambling money.
He said he had no intention to kill Anucha and had only meant to threaten the judge, insisting nobody hired him to attack the judge and he did not realise Mr Yutthana was carrying a gun.
After the incident, Mr Jiraphan laid low with a man, identified only as Sor, who is well-known in the boxing business in Nonthaburi province.
The full name of the man was not disclosed.
Mr Jiraphan has been charged with colluding in killing another person, having a gun and ammunition in his possession, carrying a weapon in a public area as well as colluding in physically assaulting others.
Pol Lt Gen Sanit said police were now hunting for Mr Yutthana.
They were expanding their probe to find out whether there are any more suspects mixed up in the case.
He said Mr Sor would be summoned to testify about the case to police, adding police had determined he was involved.
After the news briefing, Mr Jiraphan was taken to the boxing stadium to re-enact the crime.
A black Honda Click motorcycle used in the crime was also brought to the scene.
Mr Jiraphan was also taken to a ditch near the Royal Thai Army Sports Centre in the Ram Intra area where he allegedly threw away the piece of wood he used to hit Mr Udom before fleeing with Mr Yutthana.