Udon hospital chief held for murder of monk

THE chairman of a private hospital in Udon Thani was arrested late |yesterday over his alleged role as the mastermind behind the murder of a revered Udon Thani monk early this month, a police source said.

Another man was arrested for allegedly identifying the monk for the gunman to shoot.

The two men have been identified as Banjerd Chatphaithoon, the chairman of Ek Udon Hospital, and Bunnag Hongsakham, a driver with an irrigation office. 

Both men have been charged with premeditated murder for their alleged roles in the killing of Phra Bundit Supanditto on March 1 at Wat Ban Pa Seesiad, where he was the abbot.

Assistant Royal Thai Police chief Lt-General Panya Mamen earlier hinted at the identities of Banjerd and Bunnag after they were implicated in the crime through the confession of Pol Sr Sgt-Major Charnchai Soisangwan, who was apprehended this week after fleeing to Laos. Panya said Charnchai admitted to receiving Bt300,000 from the mastermind to co-ordinate the shooting, and paying Bt50,000 to the gunman, janitor |Panja Chareesaen. 

In his statement quoted by a number of senior police investigators, Charnchai said he had tracked the monk on a daily basis for quite some time before he drove Panja to Wat Pa Seesiad.

Police spokesman Lt-General Prawut Thawornsiri said that the mastermind was being closely |monitored by undercover police.

Panya said that Panja was feeling very guilty for shooting such a |highly-respected monk and had |volunteered additional details to police while also showing them |evidence he had hidden.

The evidence allegedly included the headwear he wore during the shooting of the monk from the roof of a pickup truck driven by Charnchai.

Panja and Charnchai are in the military custody under martial law. 

Charnchai is being questioned by military interrogators and his re-enactment of the alleged crimes will be conducted after he is handed over to police.

Prawut said it was not immediately clear whether the two suspects were linked with any senior policemen. “But all suspects and policemen found linked to the murder will be caught and prosecuted,” he added.

Meanwhile, at a police facility in Khon Kaen villagers who were |followers of the late monk gave flower bouquets to police investigators as a token of appreciation.