Second rubber protester shot dead

The victim, 34-year-old Wanna Wongprayoon, had reportedly argued with a man at the protest site, say police, who allege that the motive for the killing was a personal conflict. Wanna is the second protester to have been killed, following a case on Sunday which police have also blamed on a personal quarrel.

Chauat superintendent Pol Colonel Prasit Chuphao said Wanna was found dead with a shotgun wound to his chest and back in Tambon Wang Anga at 2am, following his return from the protest at Kuan Nong Hong Intersection. It was reported that Wanna had earlier been given a lift in a pickup truck to where he had parked his motorbike, so that he could continue his journey home. 

Police say they have a witness who saw a drunk looking for Wanna at his home and then heard gunshots.

In related news, the Justice Ministry’s Rights and Liberties Protection Department chief, Police Colonel Narat Sawettanant, yesterday visited Wanna’s family as well as the family of fellow protester Sirichai Boonnuwong, 29, who was shot dead on Sunday, and said the two families were entitled to Bt100,000 in assistance money.