The murder of a renowned red-shirt poet in Lat Phrao district on Wednesday was a well-planned attack carried out by at least three perpetrators, police said yesterday.
Kamol Duangphasuk — known by the pseudonym Mai Nueng Kor Kunthee — was gunned down in broad daylight in the car park of Khrok Mai Thai Lao restaurant in Soi Lat Pla Khao 24.
A high-level police meeting was called to discuss the investigation into the killing of the 45-year-old, chaired by deputy police chief Pol Gen Ek Angsananond. Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) deputy chiefs Pol Maj Gen Thitirat Nonghanpitak and Pol Maj Gen Chayut Thanathaweerat, and MPB Investigation Division commander Pol Maj Gen Prayon Lasua also attended.
According to a source from within the investigation team, police believe Kamol's attackers planned to carry out the murder as a team. The three perpetrators are believed to have been a gunman, a lookout and a driver, the source said.
Investigators are considering three motives — politics, a personal conflict or adultery. Mr Kamol allegedly had a number of female acquaintances.
The investigation team has compiled CCTV footage from the murder scene and collected statements from the victim's friends and family, the source said, while officers are attempting to trace the vehicle used by the killers.
Before the meeting, Rights and Liberties Protection Department chief Naras Savestanan and Pol Gen Ek gave Kamol's wife Rujira Jarupan 100,000 baht in financial aid.
Pheu Thai deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said he had known about plots to kill 10 red-shirt leaders for more than a year.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and called on police and Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order officers to apprehend the culprits quickly.
He also called on the Rubbish Collection Organisation (RCO) to voice its views on the issue. The RCO, founded by Mongkutwattana General Hospital director and People's Democratic Reform Committee supporter Dr Rienthong Nanna, aims to "eradicate" people who insult the monarchy.