PHUKET: The man accused of ordering last month's professional assassination of a Phuket investigative journalist gave himself up to police today and denied having anything to do with the murder.

Later in the day, a Phuket court granted him bail of 800,000 baht plus surety of three land titles, worth a total of at least three million baht.

Wisut ''Ae'' Tangwittayaporn was shot dead in Phuket's main street on January 12 and links were made to KPP Cable TV service chief Ausadakorn ''Pord'' Sidorkbaow, 48.

The prominent Phuket businessman, deputy director of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, had not been seen on Phuket since around the time of Khun Ae's killing.

He was also mentioned in one of the last columns written by Khun Ae.

He told officers at Phuket City Police Station today that he had been on business in Burma and did not know he was a wanted man until he returned to Bangkok.

In denying he is the ''Mr Big'' behind the murder, Khun Pord throws a shadow over the investigation.

Somkon ''Boy'' Deepan, 48, described by Phuket Police Commander Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun as a friend of Khun Pord, is alleged to have paid gunman Sanya Klinchoom, 36, and his motorcycle rider, Noppadol Plaisi, 43, a total of 50,000 baht to carry out the killing.

Both come from Cha-Am, where Khun Noppadol surrendered to police soon after he heard they were going to arrest him.

The gunplay in Thepkasattri Road left Khun Ae, 40, shot through the windscreen of his Honda Jazz, fighting for his life. He died in hospital about 10.40am, 90 minutes after the shooting.