Police rule out mafia link on Koh Samui killing

Attackers at the victim's taxi on May 24. Photo supplied
Attackers at the victim's taxi on May 24. Photo supplied

Police have concluded their investigation into the fatal shooting of a taxi driver on Koh Samui after arresting all 12 suspects, ruling out any links to organised crime on the tourist island.

Police said on Wednesday the killing stemmed from a long-running personal dispute between rival groups of taxi drivers and was not connected to any mafia network, despite speculation on social media.

The victim, 30-year-old Sikkharin Phromcharoen, was shot six times on May 24 in Bo Phut district. The attack took place in a public area in front of residents and tourists. He later died in hospital.

Investigators found tensions had existed for some time between the victim and a group led by another taxi driver, Sahaphol (surname withheld). On the day of the shooting, Sikkharin had just dropped off a foreign passenger when he met the group. An argument ensued before Prakasit allegedly opened fire.

Police used CCTV footage and other evidence to identify the suspects and obtain arrest warrants for all 12 individuals. The final suspect, Thawatchai, was arrested on Monday. 

The Koh Samui Court has denied bail requests.

Vocabulary

  • bail: money that is given to a court when someone is allowed to stay out of prison until their trial. If they do not return for the trial, the court keeps the money  - เงินประกัน; การประกันตัว (deny bail (of a court) to refuse to allow someone to go free on bail ไม่ให้ประกันตัว)
  • dispute: a serious disagreement - ข้อโต้แย้ง
  • mafia: a criminal organisation -
  • rival: a person, group, team or business that competes with another - คู่ต่อสู้, คู่ปรับ, คู่แข่ง
  • speculation: ideas or discussion about why something has happened or what might happen - คาดการณ์ ประเมิณสถานการณ์
  • stemmed from (verb): was/were caused by - เกิดจาก
  • tension: the feeling caused by a lack of trust between people, groups or countries - ความตึงเครียด

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