Cops search homes of suspected Thong Pha Phum tiger poachers

>>KANCHANABURI: Police yesterday asked the Thong Pha Phum Provincial Court to approve search warrants for the houses of five suspects accused of killing two Indochinese tigers in Thong Pha Phum National Park last weekend.

Pol Col Apichat Srithongkul, deputy commander of Kanchanaburi provincial police, said his team hopes to uncover more forensic evidence during the searches.

“We are trying to establish exactly what happened through forensics and the testimony of anyone who might have information relevant to the crime,’’ he said.

The five detainees are Kookue Yindee, 37, Jorhaeng Panarak, 38, Supachai Charoensab, 34, Rachanon Charoensab, 30, and a man called Choae, 66, whose surname was withheld.

The five were found grilling tiger meat in the park by rangers last Sunday, but fled the scene. However, all handed themselves in on Thursday as news of the crime spread.

Officials found four weapons at the site, and a cow’s carcass believed to have been used as bait to lure the big cats.