Bangkok: The Bangkok Metropolitan Police have detained a suspect linked to the shooting of MP Kamolsak Leewamae, with high-ranking officer “Big Samran” personally overseeing the late-night interrogation. The motive behind the attack has been disclosed.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Lt. Gen. Nophasil Phoolsawat, Commander of the Police Investigation Bureau, led the operation to bring Capt. Viroj Ketumanee, the suspect charged with the attempted murder of Mr. Kamolsak Leewamae, a Member of Parliament for Narathiwat Province from the Prachachart Party, to the police headquarters for a rigorous questioning session. The interrogation was supervised by Pol. Gen. Samran Nualma, Deputy Commissioner of the Royal Thai Police.
Pol. Gen. Samran identified Capt. Viroj as the key player among the five individuals involved in the conspiracy. Authorities had previously detained the other accomplices: Somporn Langdech and Sunthorn Phromphakdi in Narathiwat province, Alawi in Bangkok, and Thanaphat Wattanapinyo, the gunman, in Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi province. Capt. Viroj was captured at the border of Sangkhlaburi district, Kanchanaburi province, following a month-long evasion in Karen State, Myanmar.
During questioning, Captain Viroj admitted to the shooting, detailing his background of transitioning from a military career to working with the United Nations for 16 years. After returning to Thailand and facing unemployment, he resided with Mr. Somporn, who introduced him to the hired shooting opportunity.
The suspect disclosed, “The defendant admitted to obtaining information about the operation from Somporn, but at the moment of execution, he hesitated and decided to deflect the bullets towards the front of the car instead, hoping only to instill fear or injury, not to kill.”
Moreover, Captain Viroj confessed to borrowing vehicles from the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) through Captain Montri Toprasert for the mission, having done so on three separate occasions.
Pol. Gen. Samran expressed skepticism about the suspect’s confession, citing inconsistencies between his account and evidence gathered from other suspects. As a result, the suspect is set to be transferred to Narathiwat Province for further investigation under the Police Region 9 investigative team, led by Pol. Lt. Gen. Krisada Kaewchandi.
In a closing statement, Pol. Gen. Samran emphasized the government’s commitment to prosecuting all individuals involved in the crime, particularly those who orchestrated or incited it, due to the implications for national security and the protection of Members of Parliament.