Overview
A notorious contract killer, ranked 186 on the Royal Thai Police blacklist, was recently apprehended in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Found at a rubber plantation, the suspect has been charged with premeditated murder, illegal possession of firearms, and other offenses.
The Arrest
At a rubber plantation near Nam Ning village, the suspect, Nipon Srichumpuang, also known as Bao, age 41, was taken into custody. The arrest took place on a Sunday afternoon in a cottage at the plantation in tambon Ban Lam Nao, Bang Khan district. Nipon was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Songkhla’s Nathawi Court on February 12, 2018.
Charges and Evidence
Nipon faces multiple charges, including premeditated murder, illegal possession of a gun and ammunition, and carrying a weapon in public without authorization. When police searched the hut where he was hiding, they discovered methamphetamine pills, a .45 semi-automatic pistol with 27 rounds, an M2 carbine rifle with 21 rounds, a shotgun, and two .22 long rifles with 30 cartridges.
Police suspect that the M2 carbine rifle was used in a murder at a grocery store in Sadao district, Songkhla, on December 18, 2017. The victim, Arkhom Promsopha, 56, was the chief of the production section at Hat Yai Rubber factory in tambon Prik. Following that crime, arrest warrants were issued for five suspects, including Nipon. To date, three have been arrested, while one is still at large.
Blacklist of Gunmen for Hire
Nipon’s arrest highlights the ongoing issue of contract killers in Thailand. Currently, he is listed as number 186 on the Royal Thai Police’s blacklist of gunmen for hire. This list tracks and monitors individuals who are known or suspected to be involved in contract killings. The apprehension of Nipon marks progress in the continued efforts to address and combat this dangerous criminal activity.
