PHUKET: A man has been arrested on Phuket in connection with two murders, one on Phuket and the second an assassination of a policeman in the province of Trang.

Samut Kuekkong, 44, was nabbed on Monday as he hung out in a pool table bar in Soi Hone Sine, not far from Ko Sireh, east of Phuket City.

According to police, Khun Samut is one of six men involved in the murder of Senior Sergeant Major Jaroon Tumphan in November last year.

The men allegedly conspired to gun down the policeman with an M16 as he ate dinner with his family at a local minimart. Police say Khun Samut was one of two shooters, and that the price of the killing was 150,000 baht.

Two other men have been arrested and warrants have been issued for three more. Officers say local politics was behind the slaying.

Earlier, Khun Samut allegedly killed a man named ''Jack'' on Phuket in April last year in what officers believe was a dispute between ''Jack'' and Khun Samut's son.

Still wanted for the November shooting are Sanit Langu, 29, Seri Noomad, 39, a Satun village leader, and Trang local politician Wichai Wanna, 47.

The other men, Anupong Ongsala, 23, and Mana Wanmusa, 57, were arrested in March.