CSD nabs fatal shooting suspect

Police have arrested one of three murder suspects in a shooting that took place on New Year’s Day 2014, which left six people dead at Mor Chit bus terminal, after more than a three-year hunt.

The Crime Suppression Division’s special operation unit commander Pol Col Torsak Sukwimol told the media yesterday that CSD commandos raided a barber shop on Pracha Chuen Road on Tuesday evening after being tipped off that suspect Surachai Sroithong was having his hair cut there.

However, the 34-year-old suspect, alias Ton Hongnam, denied involvement in the crime and said he would only give testimony in court.

A search of Mr Surachai’s house in the Ngam Wong Wan area found no weapons or other illegal items, Pol Col Torsak said.

The Criminal Court previously granted warrants for the arrest of three suspects in the deadly shooting three years ago, including Mr Surachai.

The other two suspects are Warawut Chantanasukhon, 35, and Anothai Kertsanti, 30. Mr Anothai was arrested in 2015 but he fled after he was released on bail, Pol Col Torsak said.

The trio were members of the Kor Mor 11 gang which controlled an interprovincial van queue, and their gang was involved in a conflict with a motorcycle taxi group at Mor Chit bus terminal on the day in question, police said.

The two gangs fired shots at each other, leaving six people dead and injuring five. The suspects, including the gunmen, fled after the violence.

The investigators believed the two gangs had clashed over territory.

Mr Surachai faces various charges including murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of weapons.