Krabi murder victims’ relatives win civil appeal

Khao Ngam village headman Worayuth Sunglung and seven relatives, including three children, were shot dead at their house in Krabi’s Ao Luek district on July 11, 2017. 
Only three people survived the attack, which occurred following an hours-long hostage standoff with 11 victims. 
The appeals court said the seven relatives, who filed the appeal, were not co-plaintiffs in the criminal lawsuit and their appeal regarding the criminal procedure was dismissed.
In March this year, the Krabi Provincial Court gave a death sentence to 41-year-old money-lender Surifath “Bang Fath” Bannopwongsakul and Khomsan Wiangnon, 41, Abdulloh Doloh, 30, Arun Thongkham, 29, Prajak Boontoy, 36, and Thanachai Jamnong, 41. 
Two other defendants, Tawatchai Boonkong, 37, and Chalita Sangkhachart, 41, received a 21-month jail term and a 12-month term respectively for more minor roles in the crime. 
In the civil action for compensation, the primary court ordered the six murderers to pay Bt630,000 to Bt2.4 million to each of the eight plaintiffs.
The killing reportedly stemmed from Surifath's dispute with the 46-year-old Worayuth after Surifath failed to return land deeds, placed as collateral for a loan, to Worayuth after the debts were already repaid. The dispute caused both sides to threaten each other before the massacre occurred. 
Surifath's lawyer Kriangsak Saraphi said he had contacted his client after the appeals court verdict and had agreed to pay the compensation to the victims' relatives. 
The relatives, who filed the appeal, were reportedly satisfied with the verdict.