The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) yesterday filed charges against former deputy commerce minister Banyin Tangpakorn and five other suspects for murdering the brother of a Bangkok South Criminal Court judge in February.
The five other suspects are Manat Thapnin, Narongsak Pomchan, Chatchai Menkun, Prachawit Sithongsuk and Pol Snr Sgt Maj Thongchai Wachisatcha.
The charges were filed with the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases. All six have been brought into custody.
But the OAG opted not to indict a seventh suspect whose name was withheld due to a lack of evidence, OAG spokesperson Prayuth Phetkhun told the media yesterday at a press briefing.
Banyin and his five alleged accomplices are accused of the abduction and murder of Wirachai Sakuntaprasoet, the elder brother of Bangkok South Criminal Court judge Phanida Sakuntaprasoet, in order to pressure her to drop charges in a 300-million-baht stock fraud case against Banyin.
Wirachai was kidnapped by four men outside the court on Feb 4. Banyin is also charged with illegally wearing a police uniform during the abduction.
The 70-year-old was then killed, his body burned and the remains tossed into the Chao Phraya River in Nakhon Sawan.
The OAG is asking the court to tag on whatever penalties are handed down to Banyin onto the eight-year jail sentence he received from the Bangkok South Criminal Court in March, in addition to those that could be issued in a separate murder case being considered by the Phra Khanong Criminal Court.
In that case, Banyin was found guilty of forging documents to set up the transfer of 300 million baht worth of shares owned by his friend, businessman Chuwong Sae Tang, to himself and two accomplices.
Banyin has also been charged with murdering Chuwong.
