Police are reporting that they have found, in Phatthalung, the body of Akeyuth Anchanbutr – a prominent lawyer with strong, Democrat-leaning political sympathies who went missing late last week.
Akeyuth’s driver, Santiphap Pengduang, was arrested on Monday and charged with the murder. Later, several of Santiphap’s friends were brought into custody as well and accused of having helped Santiphap hide the body.
The motive behind the murder remains a point of debate.
Santiphap told police that he killed Akeyuth in an effort to rob the latter of several million baht. However, members Akeyuth’s family have expressed their skepticism regarding this narrative, insisting the Akeyuth’s death resulted from foul play, possibly political in nature.
The Bangkok Post reported that although Akeyuth’s family has identified the body, police will conduct further investigations in order to come up with a definitive answer.
