PM 'troubled' by murder of Democrat MP's canvasser

She said she was troubled by Chutidej Suwannakerd’s killing, which she described as the sort of incident that should not happen in Thailand.

Asked whether the investigation would be compromised because of allegations that Pheu Thai MPs might be involved in the crime, Yingluck said everything would be done in accordance with the law.

Thankoon, an MP for Bangkok’s Don Muang district, is believed to be on a “hit list”. Yingluck said she had coordinated with police to provide protection for him.

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said the killing of Chutidej could have been either political or personal. Chalerm said he had reminded police to proceed carefully, as a “third hand” sought to create a misunderstanding among the public.

He added that politically motivated killings were not usually carried out in an especially cruel manner, whereas Chutidej had been shot in the mouth.

Asked whether he had spoken to the Pheu Thai MP for Don Muang, Karun Hosakul, Chalerm said he had not, and insisted the case would be handled in a straightforward manner.

National police chief General Priewphan Damaphong held a meeting to discuss the case yesterday for about half an hour. He later said much progress had been made, but it was too early to identify a motive for the killing. Priewphan added, however, that more weight was now being given to personal conflict as the motive, as the victim was a “well-known person” who ran a business trading in Buddhist amulets and had a history of conflict with another traderlast year that led to physical assault(he was assaulted or the other trader?).

Police said mobile-phone records show that the victim had a verbal argument with someone before he was killed(possible for records to show content of conversation?.Thankoon meanwhile said he had no confidence in the police and suspected that a scapegoat would be arrested. He called on Pheu Thai MP Karun to apologise in front of the coffin of his late aide for condescending remarks Karun allegedly made about the victim.

Thankoon vowed not to withdraw from politics despite believing that he may also be marked for death.