WHY DID three Phuket men die from gunshots to the head in Saturday night's Chalong Party Massacre?
The reason remained hidden today as the alleged killer maintained his innocence, and the sole survivor remained too sick to give his account.
The man arrested over the killings was prepared to give investigating police information about himself and the dead men.
But he denied his guilt and said he would not reveal any more until his court appearance.
The chief suspect, construction business owner Songpon Poonkert, 37, returned to the scene of the killing on Sunday, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
He had been staying at a cousin's house, next door to the place where four men were allegedly shot in the head at close range at 1am on Sunday morning.
Soon after Khun Songpon returned to his cousin's house later on Sunday morning, police officers arrested him.
He told them that one dead man, Kowit Nongmanee, 36, was a friend, and the other two dead men, Somsuk Rodchoi, 29, and Khun Tea, worked for him.
The fourth man shot in the head, Yotin Singpakosit, 35, was also a friend, Khun Songpon told police.
Officers found an illegal gun in the cousin's house.
Witnesses at neighboring houses in the Chalong soi, not far from Chalong Circle, say they saw Khun Songpon leave the drinking party, return with a gun, and shoot the four men.
Khun Yotin is reportedly out of danger and recovering in Vachira Hospital today, but is not well enough yet to talk to police and give his version of events.
Khun Songpon has been charged with possession of an illegal weapon and is likely to face counts of murder and attempted murder after a court appearance late today.
Phuket Massacre: Three Shot Dead, One Wounded
Updating Report A killer in a pickup executed a horrifying massacre on Phuket early today, killing three people and wounded a fourth at a party near Chalong Circle. All were shot in the head.
Phuket Massacre: Three Shot Dead, One Wounded
Phuket Roads War: Now it's 'Arrest the Governor'
Latest A war of words has erupted over the proposed Patong to Chalong road, with the governor in one corner and environmentalists in the other. It's the talk of Phuket.
Phuket Roads War: Now it's 'Arrest the Governor'
Jet-skis Action: Governor Orders Photo Gallery
Latest Phuket appears to be following Bangkok airport in cleaning up its tourist scams and ripoffs with the Governor of Phuket ordering photos and fingerprints for all jetski operators.
Jet-skis Action: Governor Orders Photo Gallery
Governor Hails Phuket Drug Gang 'Bust'
Latest Members of a gang accused of bringing methamphetamine onto Phuket are paraded as part of the authorities' message against illegal drug consumption.
Governor Hails Phuket Drug Gang 'Bust'
Five-Star Phuket Dial-a-Scam Escape Bid Foiled
Photo Album The leader of an alleged scam gang operating from five star luxury on Phuket made an escape bid as police began interrogating a gang of 40 over the fraud scheme.
Five-Star Phuket Dial-a-Scam Escape Bid Foiled
Bride, Groom Find Love on Phuket: Photo Special
Romantic Photo Special Join a young Australian couple as they marry in one of Phuket's most romantic settings, with a chapel full of happy tourists looking on.
Bride, Groom Find Love on Phuket: Photo Special
MediaWATCH: Island Where Tourists Aren't Wanted
Latest Phuket wants tourists, but perhaps not the kind that appear to enjoy Mediterranean islands. The case of the flaming flasher sparks a war of words between Greeks and Britons
MediaWATCH: Island Where Tourists Aren't Wanted
The reason remained hidden today as the alleged killer maintained his innocence, and the sole survivor remained too sick to give his account.
The man arrested over the killings was prepared to give investigating police information about himself and the dead men.
But he denied his guilt and said he would not reveal any more until his court appearance.
The chief suspect, construction business owner Songpon Poonkert, 37, returned to the scene of the killing on Sunday, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
He had been staying at a cousin's house, next door to the place where four men were allegedly shot in the head at close range at 1am on Sunday morning.
Soon after Khun Songpon returned to his cousin's house later on Sunday morning, police officers arrested him.
He told them that one dead man, Kowit Nongmanee, 36, was a friend, and the other two dead men, Somsuk Rodchoi, 29, and Khun Tea, worked for him.
The fourth man shot in the head, Yotin Singpakosit, 35, was also a friend, Khun Songpon told police.
Officers found an illegal gun in the cousin's house.
Witnesses at neighboring houses in the Chalong soi, not far from Chalong Circle, say they saw Khun Songpon leave the drinking party, return with a gun, and shoot the four men.
Khun Yotin is reportedly out of danger and recovering in Vachira Hospital today, but is not well enough yet to talk to police and give his version of events.
Khun Songpon has been charged with possession of an illegal weapon and is likely to face counts of murder and attempted murder after a court appearance late today.
Phuket Massacre: Three Shot Dead, One Wounded
Updating Report A killer in a pickup executed a horrifying massacre on Phuket early today, killing three people and wounded a fourth at a party near Chalong Circle. All were shot in the head.
Phuket Massacre: Three Shot Dead, One Wounded
Other Phuketwan Phuket News
Phuket Roads War: Now it's 'Arrest the Governor'
Latest A war of words has erupted over the proposed Patong to Chalong road, with the governor in one corner and environmentalists in the other. It's the talk of Phuket.
Phuket Roads War: Now it's 'Arrest the Governor'
Jet-skis Action: Governor Orders Photo Gallery
Latest Phuket appears to be following Bangkok airport in cleaning up its tourist scams and ripoffs with the Governor of Phuket ordering photos and fingerprints for all jetski operators.
Jet-skis Action: Governor Orders Photo Gallery
Governor Hails Phuket Drug Gang 'Bust'
Latest Members of a gang accused of bringing methamphetamine onto Phuket are paraded as part of the authorities' message against illegal drug consumption.
Governor Hails Phuket Drug Gang 'Bust'
Five-Star Phuket Dial-a-Scam Escape Bid Foiled
Photo Album The leader of an alleged scam gang operating from five star luxury on Phuket made an escape bid as police began interrogating a gang of 40 over the fraud scheme.
Five-Star Phuket Dial-a-Scam Escape Bid Foiled
Bride, Groom Find Love on Phuket: Photo Special
Romantic Photo Special Join a young Australian couple as they marry in one of Phuket's most romantic settings, with a chapel full of happy tourists looking on.
Bride, Groom Find Love on Phuket: Photo Special
Recent Phuketwan MediaWATCH
MediaWATCH: Island Where Tourists Aren't Wanted
Latest Phuket wants tourists, but perhaps not the kind that appear to enjoy Mediterranean islands. The case of the flaming flasher sparks a war of words between Greeks and Britons
MediaWATCH: Island Where Tourists Aren't Wanted
