Station chief Colonel Ekkarat Chotekunchorn and Lt-Colonel Chanachol Phanichkunchorn had been transferred out of Ratchaburi yesterday because of problems with their performance, Police Region 7 announced.

In an incident similar to the killing of Kobkul, a mayor in Ratchaburi's Muang district was shot dead on May 5 by gunmen using automatic weapons.

Ekkarat's post has been taken over by Colonel Thongchart Rodkhlongtan and Chanachol's by Lt-Colonel Chajchai Khlaikhlueng. Both transferred officers could resume their positions after a 180-day evaluation period. Three police teams are jointly investigating the murder of Kobkul: the Crime Suppression Division (CSD), a taskforce under deputy police chief General Phreophan Damaphong and a Region 7 taskforce.

A CSD source said police were focusing on business rivalry between Kobkul and a former Ratchaburi MP after the murdered MP built a new market, which had attracted a large number of vendors from an old market belonging to the unnamed male MP.

Deputy Thai Rak Thai leader Pongthep Thepkanchana condemned the killing of Kobkul, saying it was the first time automatic weapons had been used to slay a female politician. He mourned her death, adding the party had not yet discussed who to field in her place in the coming general election.