Songkhla: The entire team involved in the assassination of "Kamnan Yong," a candidate for the Tha Chamuang Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) mayor, has been arrested. Authorities are now working to identify the person who hired them.
According to Thai News Agency, "Mayor Wit," the prospective mayor of Koh Yo SAO, was identified as the mastermind behind the assassination. Authorities are now working to apprehend those who hired the killers. It was revealed that the bounty placed on "Kamnan Yong's" head was as high as 2 million baht.
Police forces from Provincial Police Region 9, in conjunction with the Central Investigation Bureau, raided areas across five provinces: Chiang Mai, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, and Songkhla. Their main target was to arrest Police Lieutenant Kowit, or "Khaowit," 62, the prospective mayor of Koh Yo Subdistrict, Mueang Songkhla District. He was apprehended at his residence in Khuan Lang Subdistrict, Hat Yai District, on an arrest warrant issued by the Phatthalung Provincial Court. Investigations revealed he was a key figure in the assassination of Phayom Sangthong, 64, former headman of Tha Chamuang Subdistrict, Rattaphum District, Songkhla Province, and candidate number 2 for Tha Chamuang Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) mayor, leading the "Phalang Mai Phatthana Tha Chamuang" team. Sangthong was found dead in his car while campaigning. The incident occurred on the Phru Oan-Tha Maprang road, Moo 1, Thung Nari Subdistrict, Pa Bon District, Phatthalung Province, on the night of Dec ember 19, 2025. The suspect, Mr. Kawit, received a payment of 2 million baht. During questioning, he denied the allegations.
In addition, authorities arrested three more accomplices in the murder: Mr. Sakchai, 50, a close relative of Mr. Kawit, who transported the gunman, was apprehended at a seafood restaurant in Koh Yo Subdistrict; Mr. Thanpisit, 48, the gunman, was arrested in Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai Province; and Lieutenant Witawat, 41, the driver of the sedan that transported the gunman, was arrested in the parking lot of a shopping mall in Mueang Nakhon Nayok District. Several items were seized as evidence, including the black sedan with Nonthaburi license plates used in the crime, which was found abandoned and destroyed in a sand pit in Moo 2, Cha-uat Subdistrict, Cha-uat District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province; a black Honda CRV with Songkhla license plates, which was used to pick up the perpetrators after the crime; a shotgun and ammunition; and cash seized from the perpetrators, totaling over 1.8 million baht.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Chalermsri, Commander of Provincial Police Region 9, revealed that after the incident, officers from several investigative units mobilized to trace CCTV footage and find clues about the vehicles used in the crime. They discovered that a total of three vehicles were used to pick up the team after the incident and to transport them from Hat Yai Airport to the scene. After the job was done, the assassination team abandoned the black sedan used in the crime, which had a Nonthaburi license plate but was registered in Bangkok, in Chawuat District. The gunmen then called Mr. Kawit to pick them up in Chawuat District. Mr. Kawit then instructed Mr. Sakchai, a close relative who drove a CRV, to pick them up and take them back to his home in Ko Yo Subdistrict. This became crucial evidence against Mr. Kawit because the vehicles used to transport the gunmen left and returned to Ko Yo Subdistrict, which is another residence of Mr. Kawit.
Police suspect a conflict related to local politics and are urgently expanding the investigation to arrest those who hired the perpetrators.
This case focuses on local political conflicts related to the Tha Chamuang Subdistrict Administrative Organization (SAO) elections, where Mr. Yong ran for mayor but received no-vote support. However, there are also issues of personal business conflicts involved. The case is not yet closed and further investigation is needed to identify those who hired the perpetrators. Currently, some leads have been obtained, and evidence is being gathered.
The four members of the assassination team will be taken to Pa Bon Police Station in Phatthalung Province, the scene of the crime, for further questioning. They will face three charges: premeditated murder, jointly possessing firearms and ammunition without a license, and jointly carrying firearms in a city, village, or public place without a license. Bail will be opposed.