Motive behind murder 'unclear' after confession

However, his motive is still under investigation, said Pol Maj-General Decha Budnampeth, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 8.

Pol Colonel Akkaradej Pimonsri, deputy commander of the Crime Suppression Police, said a relative of Niwat in Phang Nga had contacted police to arrange for the surrender of Niwat, 37. Police picked him up in Lop Buri and brought him to Don Mueang Airport, before flying him to Surat Thani for questioning at Provincial Police Region 8 headquarters.

Phayong, 54, was found dead on Sunday night in his official residence with trauma to the head from a blunt force and cuts to his neck, face and body. His gold accessories worth Bt220,000 were missing. 

His pistol, which had been reported as stolen, was on Monday discovered by police concealed in his bed’s headboard. The probe, which reportedly will be joined by Crime Suppression Police officers, has considered possible motives, including a personal conflict, theft and that it was a crime of passion. 

Also yesterday, Pol Colonel Somkiat Kaewmuk, deputy Surat Thani police chief, told reporters that police had interviewed 10 people, including relatives, colleagues and student interns, most of whom said Phayong was a good and kind person who liked to teach law.