Trio gets death penalty for mayor's murder
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SONGKHLA - The Appeals Court yesterday sentenced three people to death - including Uthit Chuchuay, former chairman of the Songkhla Provincial Administration Organisation - for their roles in the 2012 murder of Nakhon Songkhla Municipality mayor Peera Tant
Also sentenced to death are Paisal Nuphan and Chuan Muadmee.
Uthit’s younger brother, Kitti Chuchuay, the owner of the Simila Radio Station, and Sudkheed Chankhiao were given life imprisonment, an informed source said.
All the defendants submitted bail applications in order to continue to fight in the Supreme Court, the source added.
The Appeals Court verdict overturned the Songkhla Provincial Court ruling that acquitted Uthit and four others.
The case received much public attention in Songkhla because Peera and Uthit were well-known politicians and had previously been political friends until they reportedly feuded over a cable-car project initiated by Uthit.
Peera, 54, was gunned down on the night of November 7, 2012 after meeting with representatives of southern non-governmental organisations to discuss the safety of radioactive material stored in the area.
Police initially filed charges against 10 people but the public prosecutor decided not to indict three people.
Two defendants – Athip Doungmak and Niwat Ratkaew – were killed while the case was at the primary court.
Peera’s brother Jareuk Tantiseranee, Peera’s wife Pitchaya Phakthongsuk, and other relatives of the victim were present when the verdict was read yesterday.
Pitchaya said she was satisfied with the ruling and felt more appreciation for forensic science as it helped lead to the ruling.
