Prasopchok Nimruang, a deputy leader of the Palang Thong Thin Thai (Thai Local Power) Party, has been arrested and charged with orchestrating the Feb 14 fatal shooting of two local politicians and the wounding of a third in Nakhon Nayok province.
Mr Prasopchok was taken into custody yesterday by Crime Suppression Division (CSD) police at the Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel on Chaeng Watthana Road in Bangkok's Lak Si district.
Late on the night of Feb 14, the van of Yannakorn Thorprayoon, chairman of the Bang Somboon tambon administrative organisation (TAO), was attacked by gunmen in another vehicle. The drive-by shooting occurred on a bend of Pak Tho-Bang Prang Road near Moo 2 village in tambon Si Chula, Muang district, Nakhon Nayok province.
Van driver Watchara Nutdaeng, 52, Mr Yannakorn's adviser, and Somchai Muangkas, 63, the deputy TAO chairman, who was sitting in the back seat, were killed.
Mr Yannakorn, 44, was severely wounded, hit by four bullets -- in the arms, shoulder, and leg. Police subsequently arrested the suspected shooters.
Investigators concluded Mr Prasopchok, a former chairman of the Bang Somboon TAO, was the prime suspect, believing he hired the gunmen to commit the crime. A court warrant was obtained for his arrest.
Mr Prasopchok is currently a deputy leader of the Palang Thong Thin Thai Party, which is led by Chatchawal Kong-udom.
After being charged he was taken to CSD headquarters for questioning and further legal proceedings.
