Family dispute linked to murder

AN ongoing police investigation into the killing of former Olympian shooter Jakkrit Panichpatikum has now identified his "family dispute" as the only likely motive.

"We have narrowed down the list of possible motives to just one now," Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt General Camronwit Toopgrajank said yesterday. "We are in the process of gathering solid evidence".

Before this, other possible motives included Jakkrit’s conflict with amulet buyers and also disagreement with a shooting association.

A still-unidentified gunman fatally shot Jakkrit on October 19 while he was on his way to meet his wife, Dr Nithiwadee Phucha-roenyos, and their children. The murder took place just days after the couple had a serious row, the source said. "Her family had never wanted the couple to reconcile," an informed source said.

This source revealed that several witnesses told police that Jakkrit had quarrelled badly with his wife’s family. "They even pointed their fingers in each other’s faces. They also made life threats against each other," the source said.

They added that on one occasion, Jakkrit was enraged after overhearing her family’s conversations. "He was convinced they wanted his money," the source said.

Pol Lt-Colonel Pradit Paprasitjit, an investigator at Min Buri Police Station, said police had already interrogated Nithiwadee and most people related to this case. This police station is in charge of solving Jakkrit’s case.

Domestic violence

A source said Nithiwadee had a failed marriage before she met Jakkrit through her brother. She and Jakkrit got married without registering the marriage, but problems arose after he started beating her. Earlier this year, Nithiwadee and Jakkrit’s mother publicly sought help from Social Development and Human Security Minister Pavena Hongsakul over his domestic violence.

Jakkrit was briefly detained on several charges including physical assault. While he was detained, Nithiwadee opened his safety box at a Kasikorn Bank branch and took out his valuables. She had his key but after Jakkrit was released on bail, he quickly lodged a complaint against the bank. News reports showed he was trying to reconcile with her at the same time.

Nithiwadee has to date denied that she or her family were involved.

Police are now in the process of seeking permission to interrogate four members of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) who had provided security for Nithiwadee. Her family has reportedly paid Bt150,000 a month to ensure that Nithiwadee receives security arrangements round the clock.

RTAF chief ACM Prajin Juntong said his agency would fully co-operate with police. "If the four are involved in the murder, the RTAF definitely will not try to protect or help them," he said.

Camronwit said police would seek information from the four. At this point they were not suspects.