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Published on March 1, 2008

Police said they found gunman Saravuth Mungthong, 30, waiting for them near the bodies of Tambon Padaeng kamnan Saranchai Mungthong, 29, and wife Thitikan, 22.

The killings occurred at about 11.45am in King Rama IX public park. Police recovered a pistol from Saranchai's pickup vehicle and another from Saravuth.

Police said the killings were over the family's Bt100-million fortune.

Saravuth and Saranchai are two of four siblings of a former president of the kamnan and village headmen association, Sathit. His wife is former Phrae senator Saengploy. The family made its money from furniture, petrol stations and housing.

A dispute arose over Saranchai's marriage to Thitikan and the money left to the children by Sathit.

Police learned the brothers had earlier brawled over the money and insults directed at Saengploy. Saranchai left the family home after these incidents.

The shootings occurred after Saranchai reportedly took a Chevrolet vehicle belonging to Saravuth without his permission. The two met near the family's lawyer's office, where the two continued arguing. Both men pulled guns, but Saranchai's failed to fire.

Lawyer Khongdech Intharamanont said he had asked both men to meet him in an attempt to solve the dispute.

The Nation

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