Suchat collects ‘couple killer’

Police inspector-general Suchat Theerasawat has travelled to Cambodia to seek cooperation in bringing back a fugitive Phuket club owner who was allegedly behind the murder of a young couple at Buddha Mountain in Chon Buri late last month.

Anantachai Jaritram, 21, and his female friend Paweena Namuangrak, 20, were killed in a hail of bullets fired by two gunmen in a parking lot on Khao Chee Chan, the famous Buddha Mountain, in Sattahip district of Chon Buri on July 29. One of the gunmen was said to be the club owner, Panya Yingdung, 39.

A police investigation pointed to Mr Panya as the mastermind behind the killings. The motive is believed to have been jealousy and vengeance as Paweena had previously worked in his club and was said to be his “favourite girl”.

Mr Panya was apprehended in Prey Veng province on Wednesday. Police believe he was bound for Vietnam.

National police chief Chakthip Chaijinda said yesterday that Pol Gen Suchat went to Cambodia for a second time to coordinate efforts to bring the suspect home.

Pol Gen Chakthip said Pol Gen Suchat regularly keeps him updated on the progress of the case. The police chief said he would hold a press briefing today.

Meanwhile, police have nabbed another three men who allegedly helped Mr Panya slip out of the country.

Phuthon Singdee, one of the trio, confessed to having had a hand in helping the businessman sneak through a border area in Sa Kaeo’s Khlong Hat district, officers said.