THE Farang restaurant killer and the person who paid for the murder are both likely to be arrested before the month is out, Phuket's Chief of Police, Major General Apirak Hongtong, has told Phuketwan.
He said the investigation had been complicated because the ''shooter'' came from Pattalung province, rather than within Region 8, the district covered by police who oversee Phuket and other southern provinces.
Major General Apirak said the identity of the person who paid was known but police wanted to arrest both people in a ''package.''
The owner of the popular Farang chain of restaurants, Chid ''Kit'' Raknang, was shot dead at his restaurant near the Bypass Road in Phuket City last month in a brazen execution that shocked regular customers.
Police believe the first of three bullets that struck Khun Chid killed him. An engineer who was discussing a project with him was wounded.
Police have been seeking proof of the killer's identity by studying CCTV images from landmark outlets along the route the killer and his motorcycle-riding companion took.
It is believed the killing came after an argument over a woman.
The restaurant, one of two Farang restaurants on Phuket, was due to move to new premises nearby at The Point apartments in the Bypass Road, not far from HomeWorks.
Major General Apirak said he believed as many as 200 hit-men were now offering their services in Region 8, perhaps because their day jobs were no longer lucractive.
Police have been surprised at the number of weapons and drugs seized already in 2009.
Farang Killing: Central, Big C Camera Clues Hunt
Latest Police probing the murder of the Farang 2 restaurant owner in Phuket City hope that CCTV images will pinpoint the identity of the hitman who gunned down the restaurant's popular proprietor.
Farang 2, Phuket City
He said the investigation had been complicated because the ''shooter'' came from Pattalung province, rather than within Region 8, the district covered by police who oversee Phuket and other southern provinces.
Major General Apirak said the identity of the person who paid was known but police wanted to arrest both people in a ''package.''
The owner of the popular Farang chain of restaurants, Chid ''Kit'' Raknang, was shot dead at his restaurant near the Bypass Road in Phuket City last month in a brazen execution that shocked regular customers.
Police believe the first of three bullets that struck Khun Chid killed him. An engineer who was discussing a project with him was wounded.
Police have been seeking proof of the killer's identity by studying CCTV images from landmark outlets along the route the killer and his motorcycle-riding companion took.
It is believed the killing came after an argument over a woman.
The restaurant, one of two Farang restaurants on Phuket, was due to move to new premises nearby at The Point apartments in the Bypass Road, not far from HomeWorks.
Major General Apirak said he believed as many as 200 hit-men were now offering their services in Region 8, perhaps because their day jobs were no longer lucractive.
Police have been surprised at the number of weapons and drugs seized already in 2009.
Farang Killing: Central, Big C Camera Clues Hunt
Latest Police probing the murder of the Farang 2 restaurant owner in Phuket City hope that CCTV images will pinpoint the identity of the hitman who gunned down the restaurant's popular proprietor.
Farang 2, Phuket City
