Suspected Killers of Disabled Man Related to Police

Somkiat Srichan being attacked by six men Sunday morning at Chokchai Soi 4 in Ladprao district

BANGKOK — Four of the six men accused of attacking and killing a disabled man on Sunday morning outside a bakery at Chokchai Soi 4 are related to police officers.

Brothers Arin and Peerapol Yodponganan, 2o and 21 respectively, Monmanat Sangpho, 22, and 19-year-old Mek Polkraisorn were said at a press conference Monday afternoon to be sons of police officers. The four were among six arrested for stabbing and beating Somkiat Srichan, a 36-year-old bakery worker, to death around 8:30am Sunday.

The other two suspects are Akkaradet Thatsana, 22, and an 18-year-old whose identity is being withheld as he is a minor.

Somkiat who had difficulty walking due to a disability, was reportedly being teased by the six men and answered back, which urged them to attacked him, according to Pol.Col. Chairop Chunnawat of Chokchai Police Station.

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Somkiat died after being sent to Paolo Memorial Hospital at Soi Chokchai 4.

Chairop told Khaosod English this morning that all the suspects said they were drunk when they saw Somkiat in front of a bread shop and committed the crime. A woman who is allegedly the girlfriend of one of the suspects was heard shouting “Kill him, kill him” during the attack, a witness told Chairop.

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The six suspects were charged with assault resulting in death and possession of knives in public without permission. The unidentified woman was charged with instigating violence.

Acting metro police chief Lt.Gen. Sanit Mahatavorn said at a press conference Monday afternoon that although four of the six suspects are related to police officers, the case will proceed with fair treatment. Police will inspect footage from CCTV cameras near the crime scene and investigate further to find out if anyone else was involved in the incident, Sanit said.

Five suspects were taken to Ratchada Criminal Court Tuesday morning. They were refused bail. One suspect, Peerapol Yodponganan, was absent from the court as he is being treated at hospital for a cut on his left arm that he received during the fight.

Weapons used in the deadly assault on display Monday afternoon at Chokchai Police Station.
Weapons used in the deadly assault on display Monday afternoon at Chokchai Police Station.

Acting metro police chief Lt.Gen. Sanit Mahatavorn, standing center, five of the suspects and weapons used in the deadly assault,  Monday afternoon at Chokchai Police Station.
Acting metro police chief Lt.Gen. Sanit Mahatavorn, standing center, five of the suspects and weapons used in the deadly assault,  Monday afternoon at Chokchai Police Station.