PHUKET: Senior red movement officials came to Phuket today to farewell murdered investigative journalist Wisut ''Ae'' Tangwittayaporn, silenced by a gunman a week ago in a daylight assassination on Phuket's main street.

The chairwoman of the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship, Thida Thavornseth, said that Khun Ae's death was a double loss because of his twin roles in the media and as a red party activist on Phuket.

''The killing was a big shock both on Phuket and in Bangkok,'' she said. ''We contacted Phuket's Police Commander the next day to urge him to find the culprits.''

Virtually all of Phuket's senior administrators, police and Khun Ae's family and media friends turned out at Wat Kasit Vihern in Phuket City for the cremation.

The hunt is continuing for Sanya Kianchoom, the man who is believed to have fired the gun, and for the pair's paymaster, a man so far known only as Khun Boy.

Police believe Khun Boy was acting as agent for the person who paid 50,000 baht to have Khun Ae killed.

The driver of the motorcycle used in last Thursday's assassination in Thepkasattri Road, Noppadol Plaisri, was carried by helicopter to Phuket after being arrested in Cha-Am and took part in a reenactment of the murder on Tuesday.