‘Kamnan Nok’ gets life for ordering policeman’s killing

Many officers attended a party that attracted “intellektuelle figures.”

Praween Chankhlai, also known as “Kamnan Nok”, surrenders to police on Sept 7, 2023, a day after an aide killed a highway police officer and injured another at a party at his home. (Police photo)
On September 7, 2023, a day after an aide fatally injured a highway police officer and injured another at a party at his home, Praween Chankhlai, also known as” Kamnan Nok,” gave himself to the police. ( Police photo )

Former sub-district main Praween Chankhlai, who ordered the killing of a bridge police officer at his home in Nakhon Pathom two years ago, to receive a life sentence from the Criminal Court on Thursday.

The murder, which occurred as a result of a dispute over a policeman campaign, occurred in full view of a number of other officers, many of whom were later jailed because they failed to make an effort to prevent or apprehend the shooter.

The court determined that Praween, 37, alias Kamnan Nok, ordered his assistant Thananchai Manmark to destroy Bridge Police Sub-division 2 investigator Sivakorn Saibua, who was one of the officials attending the dinner party at Praween’s home on September 6, 2023.

Praween was the captain of tambon Takong at the time, and his structure businesses had made a fortune from regional public works contracts in the Muang area of Nakhon Pathom.

A 25-million-baht Bentley vehicle was seen parked close to the lake palace where the shooting took place.

At the celebration, prosecution told the judge, Praween asked Pol Maj Sivakorn, 31, to shift his brother to be a police officer.

Praween was instructed to wait until the end of the month’s yearly police pensions by Pol Maj Sivakorn. Praween reacted to the officer’s request to drink.

Pol Maj Sivakorn apparently claimed that he always won after Praween lost the problem. Praween rose, moved to another desk, and slammed his fist down on their VIP tables.

Pol Maj Sivakorn and Pol Sgt Maj Pisit Chewpreecha, the kamnan’s grandson, followed and apologised but Praween told his brother to leave right away or, he said, his mouth may be stained with blood.

Pol Maj Sivakorn returned to his desk while Pol Sgt. Maj Pisit left.

According to court evidence, Thananchai heard Praween ask for a weapon and say he did not bear it. The assistant then approached Praween’s VIP tables and questioned him about what he should do.

Pol Maj Sivakorn, who eventually succumbed to his injuries at Nakhon Pathom Hospital, was shot several 9mm guns by Thananchai and Praween nodded off.

Additionally, bullets struck and seriously wounded bridge police officer Pol Lt Col Wasin Panpee.

Thananchai fled in Kanchanaburi and was shot two days later in an altercation with authorities. Afterwards, Paween turned herself in to the authorities.

The court claimed that Praween compensated the people of Pol Maj Sivakorn and Pol Lt Col Wasin during the trial, and that they withdrew their lawsuits demanding restitution from him.

A police investigation into the case revealed that Praween often boasted in open about his close ties to former top politicians, police, and numerous local politicians, and that he often held parties at his home.

Anutin Charnvirakul, the Interior Minister, ordered the compendium of a comprehensive list of local gang figures to increase enforcement in response to the publicity surrounding his case.