Warrants sought for two over Songkhla mayor's killing
Police plan to seek arrest warrants for two men suspected of involvement in the shooting death of Songkhla Municipality Mayor Peera Tantiserani, Songkhla provincial deputy police chief Pol Colonel Ithipol Atchariyapradit said yesterday.
Ithipol said police also planned to search a location in a nearby province, saying the suspected gunmen do not live in Songkhla province.
Another man, Paisal Nupan, 47, is already in detention at Songkhla District Police Station and has been denied bail.
He has denied involvement in the murder, claiming he is
a victim of political harassment.
Police said Paisal is a close aide of Uthit Choochuay, Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation president.
Uthit is the elder brother of Kitti Choochuay, outside whose radio station a vehicle believed to have been used in the crime was found parked after the incident.
Paisal was interrogated by police for over three hours on Saturday night and denied all charges.
He refused to take a DNA test. Police said they were confident they have a solid case, having found Paisal’s fingerprints on a water bottle and documents found in the vehicle believed to have been used in the crime.
Police said they also have circumstantial evidence against Paisal and believe that he drove the vehicle for the gunmen who shot Peera dead.
Supporters of Peera yesterday mourned his death outside Songkhla Forum, on the spot where he was killed.
They placed flowers and condolence messages in front of the site.
