Democrat Party MP Kanchit Thapsuwan, the prime suspect in the brutal slaying of Samut Sakhon Provincial Administration Organization(OrBorJor) president Udon Kraiwatnussorn, has been summonsed by police to answer to charges of murder – nearly six months after the victim was gunned down in broad daylight at a gas station.
An arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Kanchit on Dec. 26, 2011, a day after the murder. However, until now he has enjoyed parliamentary immunity which protected him from prosecution. Now that parliament is in recess, Muang Samut Sakhon police chief Chamraeng Sudjai has visited the Democrat Party office in that province and Mr. Kanchit’s house to issue the summons, the Bangkok Post reported.
Mr. Kanchit must meet with police investigators by June 27, the report added.
Ten witnesses are alleged to have seen Mr. Kanchit gun down Mr. Udon, a member of the Pheu Thai Party, in a toilet at a gas station in Samut Sakhon’s Muang district. He allegedly shot the victim eight times in the head with a .40-caliber pistol. Mr. Udon was said to have been visiting the gas station on his way to a wedding.
Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 7 Harnphon Nijwibool said that in addition to eyewitness testimony, security camera footage shows a man resembling Mr. Kanchit firing at Mr. Udon and a police sketch obtained from eyewitnesses “proves that the suspect’s identity matched that of Mr. Kanchit.”
Lt. Gen. Hanphon also said that Mr. Kanchit is the owner of the Toyota pickup truck the killer drove to the scene and a .40-caliber Glock pistol.
Mr. Kanchit initially refused police requests to hand over the pistol and the vehicle, but has now agreed to meet with police at 9am on June 26, the Post reported.
