Police have arrested the alleged gunman who shot dead former national sports shooter Jakkrit Panichpatikum last month.
ARRESTED: Jirasak Klinkhlai, 33, alleged killer of Jakkrit Panichpatikum, was brought before a press conference yesterday. He was arrested in Si Racha district on Friday night.
Arrest warrants have also been issued for two alleged accomplices who were named by the suspect during police interrogation.
Jirasak Klinkhlai, 33, was apprehended in Chon Buri's Si Racha district on Friday night.
He is accused of firing the shots which killed Olympian Jakkrit, Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) chief Kamronwit Thoopkrachang said yesterday.
He was confident the investigation would lead to the arrest of the mastermind behind Jakkrit's murder.
Investigators yesterday also summonsed Jakkrit's wife, Nitiwadee Pucharoenyos, for questioning following the arrest of Mr Jirasak, though details of the interview were unclear.
Social Development and Human Security Minister Paveena Hongsakula was present during the questioning.
Jakkrit was gunned down on the night of Oct 19 by a motorcycle pillion rider while he was driving his black Porsche Boxster near Ramkhamhaeng Soi 166 in Min Buri district.
During the police interrogation, Mr Jirasak confessed that he had been hired to kill Jakkrit by Santi Thongsem, who he told police was a lawyer who went by the nickname "Ied", MPB Investigation Division chief Prayon Lasua said yesterday.
The suspect was not aware who Jakkrit was when he accepted the job, Pol Maj Gen Prayon said. Mr Jirasak then allegedly recruited Thawatchai Phetchot, 30, to ride a motorcycle during the murder, investigators said.
The Min Buri provincial court has already approved warrants for the arrest of Mr Santi and Mr Thawatchai, he said.
Mr Jirasak allegedly told police he had been hired for 200,000 baht by Mr Santi to kill Jakkrit.
He took half of the money for himself and gave the rest to Mr Thawatchai, according to police.
Mr Jirasak allegedly said he accepted the job as he needed money to finance his personal expenses. He said his newly-opened electronics business in Chon Buri was failing.
He insisted he was not a professional hitman.
Mr Jirasak allegedly told police he fired six rounds at Jakkrit, but the last cartridge was a dud.
He then fled back to Chon Buri and resumed his ordinary routine, police said.
Before the shooting, Mr Jirasak and Mr Thawatchai had observed Jakkrit's activities at his home in Bua Khao housing estate on Ramkhamhaeng Soi 174, Pol Maj Gen Prayon said.
As Jakkrit drove his Porsche away from his home on Oct 19, the suspects followed on a motorcycle.
When Jakkrit's car pulled up near Lad Bua Khao intersection, Mr Jirasak opened fire before fleeing towards Ramkhamhaeng Soi 55, Pol Maj Gen Prayon said.
Police yesterday took Mr Jirasak before a judge who agreed with their request to deny him bail. The suspect is now being held in a remand cell.
Jakkrit's father Manop Panichpatikum yesterday arrived at MPB headquarters to see the alleged gunman.
He said his family was delighted that police had made an arrest and remained confident officers would arrest all people involved in the murder of his son.
Jakkrit and his wife Dr Nitiwadee had lived apart since July after the shooter was arrested for threatening her with a gun during a domestic argument.
His wife and mother had appealed to Ms Paveena for help after the incident.