Two held for attempted hits on TAO whistleblower

Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police yesterday arrested two more suspects wanted in connection with two gun attacks on a local leader in Trang who had sounded the alarm over a corruption case.

The arrests of Nattawut Kotchakaew, 29, and Teerapon Chumuang, 40, came after the CSD conducted an operation on Oct 11 in tambon Bang Di of Trang’s Huai Yot district, in which 10 suspects were arrested for their involvement in the shootings.

Warrants were issued for their arrest on charges of collaboration in an attempted murder.

Mr Nattawut was nabbed at a car park at the old provincial hall in Trang’s Muang district and Mr Teerapon was arrested at a house in Phangnga’s Takua Thung district, according to CSD chief

Jirapop Phuridech.

Mr Nattawut allegedly carried out the attacks, while Mr Teerapon had found the gunmen for hire. The pair were implicated in two shootings which took place at the house of Piyarat Nitkhong, 45, a member of the Bang Di Tambon Administrative Organisation (TAO) on Feb 23 and March 12. Mr Piyarat, who escaped the attacks unscathed, had blown the whistle on a TAO corruption case.

According to police, Mr Nattawut admitted he had been involved in the incidents, but said he only drove the hitmen to the target’s house and helped them escape. The other suspect, Mr Teerapon, denied having any involvement in the shootings. A source close to the investigation said Mr Teerapon has a criminal record and had earlier been imprisoned on drug-related and attempted murder charges.