Solution within reach to murder of Thai journalist

Reporters Without Borders notes the progress announced by the authorities in the investigation into the murder of Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwittayaporn, a freelance journalist and member of the “Red Shirts” political movement shot dead by two men on a motorcycle in Phuket on 12 January. “The information in possession of the investigators should allow them to identify those behind the murder and their motive,” the international press freedom organization said. “We hope the investigation will continue in this direction and avoid the impunity that still surrounds the deaths of the last three journalists killed in the country.” Yesterday a suspect, Noppadon “Pae” Praisri, gave himself up to the police after learning that they were on his trail and had traced him as far as the person from whom he rented the machine used in the attack. After first admitting the crime, Noppadon then retracted the confession at a press conference where he said that he was the one driving the motorcycle. He was reported to have been paid 50 000 baht (just over 1,200 euros) from someone called “Mr. Boy” in the latter’s home. He subsequently identified the alleged gunman as Sanya Klinchum and said both of them had kept the journalist under observation for two months before the attack. Police today carried out a reconstruction of the crime with Noppadon present. The authorities are looking for Sanya and Boy, who had fled by the time police arrived at the location pointed out by Noppadon, according to Phuket News.