A Thai woman who was seen travelling with four fugitive Taiwanese gang members accused of murdering a tattooed man in Thailand was caught in Cambodia. Arrangements were being made to bring Ms Piyanut Thammarat back to Thailand to face charges
The gang members are the primary suspects in the murder of a highly tattooed Taiwanese man discovered dead at a vacant food kiosk near Suvarnabhumi Airport on Sunday. He had received multiple gunshot to the head.
Deputy national police commander Pol Gen Thana Chuwong announced on Tuesday that Cambodian authorities had captured Piyanut Thammarat, 23, the owner of the red Mazda automobile alleged to have transported 44-year-old Shih Mou Chiang’s body from the crime scene to where it was later located.
Pol Gen Thana said she was the key to shining light on the situation.
The Taiwanese victim was shot in the head several times at a residence in Bangkok’s Lat Phlakhao neighbourhood, Lat Phrao district. His tattooed body was discarded near the airport on Sunday.
The victim allegedly fled Taiwan to avoid arrest for robbery and unlawful firearm possession, among other charges.
The slain man arrived at the house in Lat Plakkhao on a motorbike at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
According to police detectives, the Taiwanese suspects arrived in Thailand on Sunday about 2 a.m. and reportedly murdered the victim shortly thereafter. They left the country around 5 a.m. that day, passing into Cambodia at the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint. Ms. Piyanut left with them.
According to the deputy police chief, the murder could be the result of illicit operations. They would learn more after asking Ms. Piyanut.
Three more individuals were suspected to be hiding in Cambodia. The fourth had apparently continued on to Taiwan. Taiwanese authorities were urged to assist in his arrest.
Police have detained the man who drove the van that transported the five suspects to the border in Sa Kaeo province on Sunday. According to Pol Gen Thana, the individual was being questioned about his involvement but stated that he only drove the van.
Taiwanese gangs are well-established in Thailand, particularly in large cities such as Bangkok and Pattaya. These gangs are responsible for a variety of illicit operations, including drug trafficking, extortion, and human trafficking.
Thailand’s law enforcement agencies are vigorously combating the impact of these gangs and dismantling their operations. Despite efforts to control their activities, Taiwanese gangs continue to endanger the safety and security of local communities.
The presence of these criminal organisations in the region has concerned both authorities and locals.
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