Nonthaburi councillor wounded in gun attack

It is believed that the shooting of Phairoj Sukchan, 51, was politically motivated, though police are not ruling out business conflicts as he is also the president of Buathong Property Group, a major real-estate developer in the province.
Police said Phairoj was shot at 7pm, while he was walking into his office in Bang Bua Thong district. A gunman shot him at close range and fled on a motorcycle. The 11-mm bullet pierced his neck.
He was rushed to Kasemrad Ratanibet Hospital. Doctors said he was stable, but needed close monitoring. They said surgery would only go ahead once the patient is stronger.
Pol Lt-Colonel Boonlert Arkomwatana, an officer of Bang Bua Thong police station, said political conflicts might have something to do with the attempt on Phairoj’s life.
He pointed out that Phairoj had helped his wife, Dr Buathip Sukjan, beat the incumbent and win the post of Tambon Banrak Pattana Administrative Organisation governor. However, he said, police would not rule out business conflicts.
Yesterday, Provincial Police Bureau 1 Commissioner Pol Lt-General Amnuay Nimmano attended a two-hour meeting with the investigation team and later said that good progress had been made, but he could not disclose details.