| Buffalo-fight bettor killed and robbed |
| By Chat Anupan |
|
A YOUNG man known as a buffalo-fight gambler, was shot to death recently inside his car in Lipa Noi, the police reported. Police identified the victim as Theeraphong Somjaimai, 20, who was shot in the head inside his black Toyota Vios car on the beach road in Lipa Noi. Police believe the motive behind the killing was related to gambling as the victim had reportedly won over Bt100,000 from a buffalo fight before the incident. The killer also took the victim’s money.Niti Khwangthong, a friend of the victim, told investigators before Theeraphong was found murdered on the night of April 17 that someone had called him on the phone and they agreed to meet. Theeraphong was said to have gone out with his pocket full of money. He drove his car in haste without telling anyone who he was going to meet. Niti told police the victim just told him that some of his friends had called. Niti, according to the report, was suspicious and he tried to follow his friend in a motorbike, but Theeraphong saw him and asked Niti to go back. The victim’s friend said that on his way back, he spotted a young man riding a motorbike in the direction where Theeraphong was killed. The police theorized that the killer might be someone that the victim knew very well. The killer, the police added, might have set up a meeting with Theeraphong to make a deal and they might have failed to reach an agreement. The killer took the victim’s cash and other valuables before escaping. A police official said the victim’s father owned fighting buffaloes and is said to be one of the richest on Koh Samui, while Theeraphong himself was a professional gambler. Investigators, however, did not rule out the love angle as the victim, who is married, was known to be dating other women who were also married or had boyfriends. Police said they had already identified two possible suspects, whom they would invite for questioning. — |
