Thai criminal linked to killing of Chinese crews on Mekong
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A much-wanted Thai criminal was involved in the robbery of two Chinese ships and slaying of 13 crew members on the Mekong River last October, a senior police officer has alleged.
Nine members of the Thai military have been implicated in the killings, along with Naw Kham, the leader of a notorious Burmese drug gang, extradited from Laos to Beijing two months ago.
The Thai suspect is Olarn Somphongphan, who has also been sought for his alleged role in the fatal shooting of a high-profile politician a few years ago, deputy national police chief Pol General Pansiri Praphawat said yesterday.
Olarn coordinated the ship attack and had history of taking part in drug deals, Pansiri said.
Olarn was allegedly part of a gun-for-hire racket which killed former deputy interior minister Santi Chaiwirattana a few years ago, he said. Olarn had been in hiding in Myanmar, protected by an armed Wa force, after he was acquitted of assassinating Santi.
In regard to the ship robbery and killings, which led to China implementing armed patrols on the Mekong, Pansiri said police had interviewed 109 witnesses and acquired arrest warrants for the nine military suspects.
