Money Trail Links Police, Gunman, and Kamnan Nok
Additional Criminal Charges for Police Officers
Several police officers held for alleged obstruction of the investigation into the murder of a highway police officer at Kamnan Nok’s dinner party in Nakhon Pathom last Wednesday are likely to face additional criminal charges. This development follows the recovery and examination of the server box from the security camera at the scene. The server box, a crucial piece of evidence, had been removed after the shooting and tossed into a pond.
Security Camera Server Box Investigation
Pol Col Anek Taosuparp, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Division, stated that CSD investigators were awaiting information from the camera server at Mr. Praween’s home in tambon Takong, Muang district, Nakhon Pathom. The server was found missing after the murder that abruptly ended the September 6 dinner party. A gunman fired multiple shots at Pol Maj Siwakorn Saibua, a guest at the party, killing the 32-year-old highway police inspector on the spot. The server was later recovered and is currently being examined to extract any remaining information. Laboratory results are expected within the next few days.
Party Attendees and Questioning
A source revealed that there were 55 people at last Wednesday’s party, including 28 police officers. Mr. Praween’s associates and other guests would also be called in for questioning. Six of the police guests have already been dismissed from the force and face charges of obstructing the investigation immediately after the shooting. These six officers are accused of destroying evidence of a crime and helping the killer and Mr. Praween flee the scene.
Additional Charges and Money Trail
Some of the six officers are likely to face additional charges of malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code. A money trail linked Mr. Praween, gunman Thananchai Manmak, and police who were at the party. Thananchai had regularly transferred money to five of the six officers. Investigators believed Thananchai was tasked with giving money to people on behalf of Mr. Praween, a former tambon chief and influential local politician and businessman.
Murder Victim’s Superior Found Dead
The murder victim’s immediate superior, Pol Col Vachira Yaothaisong, 44, was found dead at his home in tambon Khu Khot of Lam Luk Ka district, Pathum Thani province, on Monday. He had a single bullet wound to his right temple, and the slug exited through his left temple. A 9mm pistol was found on the floor on the right side of his body. Doctors estimated he had died 8-12 hours before the death was reported. Police believe he committed suicide, blaming himself for having invited Pol Maj Siwakorn, his subordinate, to the dinner party where he was slain.
Blood smears on the floor had suggested the body may have been moved, but forensic examiners concluded they were caused by an automatic robot vacuum cleaner. The spent bullet was found lodged in the machine. Outside surveillance cameras caught the sound of one gunshot fired inside the house. Pol Col Vachira was the commander of Highway Police sub-division 2 and Pol Maj Siwakorn’s immediate superior.
