Authorities have arrested one more suspect, the pickup truck driver involved in the assassination attempt on MP Kamonsak of the Prachachart Party. The Narathiwat police chief revealed case updates, stating that an arrest warrant has now been issued for the owner of the repair shop who dismantled the vehicle.
On 5 Apr 2016, reporters covered the progress in the case where assailants used a white Toyota four-door pickup truck, license plate unknown, as the vehicle to carry out an M16 gun attack on the car of Mr. Kamonsak Liwamo, MP for Narathiwat District 5 of the Prachachart Party. The attack occurred in front of his residence in Village 9, Phetkasem Road, Bacho Subdistrict, Bacho District, Narathiwat, on 20 Mar 2016, seriously injuring driver Ushalamh Kolor and police officer Harirak Hemminah who was escorting the MP.
Recently, the investigation team arrested Mr. Alawi Awe, 24, a resident of Tapo Yao Subdistrict, Yi-ngo District, Narathiwat, who had an outstanding arrest warrant.. Criminal Procedure CodeOn 2 Apr 2016, one more suspect was added to the list of four. He was fleeing in Bangkok two days ago. Previously, authorities arrested two father and son suspects, Mr. Somporn Langdech, a former marine, and Mr. Yotsakorn Langdech. Only one suspect remains at large: Mr. Thanapat Watthanapinyo.
The investigation team took Mr. Alawi into custody for interrogation, during which he confessed to driving the pickup truck used in the attack that involved gunfire targeting MP Kamonsak's car. He also provided valuable information that helped authorities piece together the number of perpetrators and their identities.
However, officials could not disclose details to avoid compromising the investigation and its expansion to all involved parties. After completing questioning of Mr. Alawi, he was handed over to investigators to proceed with legal action.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Prayong Khotsakha, Commander of the Narathiwat Provincial Police, revealed that an arrest warrant was issued yesterday (4 Apr) for another suspect involved in the assassination attempt on MP Kamonsak Liwamo, District 5, Narathiwat, Prachachart Party. The suspect is Mr. Sunthon Phromphakdee, owner of a car repair shop in Tak Bai District, Narathiwat.. Criminal Procedure Code
Mr. Sunthon performed the task of dismantling the vehicle used in the attack. Although he denied any involvement in the shooting of MP Kamonsak, he admitted dismantling the white four-door Toyota Vios upon the request of Mr. Somporn Langdech, a former marine soldier whom he has known for over 20 years. Two men brought the vehicle to him between 1:00 and 2:00 a.m. on the night of 20 Mar 2016 and asked him to dismantle it. Mr. Sunthon then delivered the two men to the house of the former marine. He said he only learned from news reports afterward that the vehicle was likely linked to the shooting in Bacho, and that the former marine had ordered the dismantling of the vehicle.