Three arrest warrants issued over journalist’s murder

Reporters Without Borders is shocked by the revelations of the investigation into the murder of the freelance journalist, Wisut “Ae Inside” Tangwittayaporn, shot dead in Phuket on 12 January. “If the information in possession of the police turns out to be correct, the murder of Wisut Tangwittayaporn is a direct attack on freedom of information,” the press freedom organization said. “We expect the authorities to do all they can to catch the suspects. We also urge them to protect those close to the journalist who may be under threat.” As a result of the arrest of Noppadon “Pae” Praisri, alleged to have driven the motorcycle from which the fatal shots were fired, police have issued arrest warrants for three more suspects. Two are for Sanya Klinchum, the alleged gunman, and Somkuan “Boy” Pandee, suspected to have coordinated the attack. The third names the suspected mastermind behind the killing, Assadakorn Seedokbuab, deputy president of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce and owner of the local television station KPP Cable TV. All three are being sought by police, who have given no details of what put them on their trail. However, they disclosed their preferred theory was that the murder was most probably linked to something critical written by Wisut.