The man suspected of driving the pickup used in the murder of ex-Thai Rak Thai MP Kobkul Nopamornbodee in Ratchaburi last Saturday was arrested yesterday in Bangkok. The arrest brought an end to the police hunt for the attackers but has led to calls for the those behind the murder to be tracked down.

After an initial interrogation, suspect Winyu 'Love' Rattanawannee allegedly confessed that he conspired with suspects Anantasak Srisawas and Anont Phanrat when he carried the killers to the scene in his vegetable truck.

The female politician's pickup was stopped at a traffic light in Ratchaburi when the shooting took place. Winyu, of Nakhon Si Thammarat, said he left the truck with a lawyer friend in Bangkok, where the police retrieved it yesterday.

Lawyer Saksri Chanathiwat said he knew nothing of Winyu's alleged involvement in the killing.

The lawyer said Winyu had asked him to look after the truck while he visited another province.

Saksi said he had kept the truck covered as Winyu was concerned about it getting scratched.

The forensic team collected fingerprints and found a phone Sim card, containing several phone numbers, in the truck.

Police commander Maj-General Winai Thongsong said one of the suspects arrested still denied the charges against him.

He added that officers had gathered evidence to confirm the suspects' involvement in the murder.

However, he was uncertain if the investigation would ensnare the mastermind behind the attack and officers were still searching for the second M16 rifle used in the murder.

Police will ask the navy to use a sonar to search the Mae Klong River for the firearm, he added.

Deputy police chief General Priewphan Damapong said officers had arrested all the murder suspects: driver Winyu and gunmen Ananthasak and Anont.

Another suspect, Sangad Pumpeng, died after ingesting pesticides on Wednesday, although his links with the killing were not confirmed.  Two other men arrested - Wanchana Supachaireungsiri and Korawit Weeraworawong - are being charged with driving Ananthasak and Anont to the river to dispose of the rifles.

"This case is regarded as ending after the gunmen have been hunted down, but only a thorough investigation will reach the mastermind," Priewphan said.