Banyin case probe to end by deadline

The investigation into the kidnap and murder of the older brother of a senior judge hearing a criminal case against former deputy commerce minister Pol Lt Col Banyin Tangpakorn, should be completed within the deadline, the Crime Suppression Division said.

The investigation team set a 30-day time limit for the task and believes it will meet the cut-off date as the probe is 80% complete, Pol Col Anek Tao-suphap, a deputy division chief, said yesterday.

Pol Lt Col Banyin was arrested on Feb 23 along with five other suspects, while his wife, Waraporn, and his brother, Flt Lt Chakrawan, have been summonsed for questioning.

Pol Lt Col Banyin is suspected of masterminding the kidnap and murder of Wirachai Sakuntaprasoet, brother of senior Bangkok judge Phanida Sakuntaprasoet, who was hearing a criminal case against Pol Lt Col Banyin.

Flt Lt Chakrawan who was summoned to meet investigators yesterday asked to postpone his appointment to today.

Police investigators found that Flt Lt Chakrawan had borrowed a black Toyota Sport Rider from Pol Lt Col Prasoet Phonprasan in Phichit.

According to Pol Col Anek, this vehicle had been used to kidnap Wirachai.

Meanwhile, Ms Waraporn has been summoned to meet investigators on Monday.

She was first questioned at the time of her husband’s arrest, but had provided a confusing statement, Pol Col Anek said.

Investigators have prepared new questions for Ms Waraporn in light of fresh evidence that she had ordered her maid to buy SIM cards that were later used by her husband and other suspects in the kidnap and murder case, said Pol Col Anek.

While the pickup truck used by the suspects is owned by Ms Waraporn’s company, the investigators also want to ask her again why the burnt remains of Wirachai’s corpse were found on a plot she owns in Nakhon Sawan.