Big team of policemen surround reservoir where killer cop is hiding

A LARGE team of a hundred special operations and investigation police surrounded the forest around Ratchaprapha reservoir in Surat Thani after finding out that a policeman who killed his father-in-law, his second wife and brother with his older brother too dying in the ensuring shootout at their home was hiding there, Thai Rath newspaper said this evening (Apr. 15).

Surat Thani Provincial Court has issued three arrest warrants for Pol.Snr.Sgt.Maj.Attaporn Wichien, 46, attached to Kanchanadit police station. 

The first one issued after the shootout on April 9 where his father-in-law Mr. Thammarong Nilniyom, or Phoo Yai Rong, 60, a former village headman and owner of the plantation house in Bang Ngon subdistrict, Phunphin district, was killed as were his wife Mrs. Nilthip Palakachen, or Taeng, 49, and his brother Mr. Pornsak Petchchu, or Phoo Yai Kraw, 56.

The wanted policeman’s brother Mr. Thammarat Wichien, 48, who was only recently released from jail, was also found dead there.

A second arrest warrant for Attaporn was issued today on the charges of having killed Mr. Atthaphon Wichien, or Bass, 25, his son by his first wife and a third one on the charges of killing Ms Panida Nilniyom, or Tak, his second wife who is Thammarong’s daughter by his first wife.

Attaporn’t accomplice, an unemployed man only identified as Mr. Manop was later arrested in Phang Nga armed wih an M16 rifle.

Police teams have set up checkpoints on both paved roads and natural paths leading to the reservoir’s forest after getting clues that Attaporn is hiding there.

Surat Thani Governor Wichawut Jinto this afternoon held a meeting with the chiefs and village headmen of three districts, namely Khiri Rat Nikhom, Ban Ta Khun and Phanom, and ordered them to notify the police about Attaporn’s whereabouts as he was getting help from people in this area.

They were warned that those who shelter, hide, provide food or financially helped the suspect will be prosecuted.

CAPTION:

Special operations and investigation police surrounded the forest around Ratchaprapha reservoir in search for the policeman who killed his relatives, wife and son. Photos: Thai Rath

Also read: Hunt for policeman who killed his father-in-law, three others in Surat Thani

Update: Killer cop’s accomplice caught in Phang Nga

Wife of cop on the run killed, death toll reaches six