Songkla provincial chief arrested in killing of mayor

Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation president Uthit Chuchuay has been arrested and charged with conspiring and masterminding last November's fatal shooting of Songkhla municipality mayor Peera Tantiserani, police said Wednesday.

Songkhla civic sector and academics believe the assassination stems from a political conflict over Peera's opposition to a cable-car system over Songkhla Lake, which he believed would wipe out the city's last piece of pine forest, the only lung of the city.

Uthit was arrested on Tuesday. He is among 10 suspects for whom warrants have been issued - three suspected masterminds and seven other suspected conspirators.

Five suspects are still at large, including Tambon Ta Bon Administrative Organisation president Pramote Saeng-arun. The other suspects are Chayan Nupan, Athip Duangmak, Nattapol Nakle and Sud-keed Chankiew.

The Nation