The fatal attack on a volunteer taxi driver on Koh Samui involved eight suspects, with investigators seeking more arrest warrants to bring justice to the victim’s family, a police spokesman said on Thursday.
Three warrants have been issued while Provincial Police Region 8 is seeking court approval for five more, Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan said.
One of the eight suspects was arrested on Wednesday as he surrendered to officers at the Bo Phut police station. He denied involvement in the assault and shooting but admitted knocking on the victim’s car window before the attack.
The case has taken on more urgency after the family of Sikkharin Phromcharoen, 31, sought witness protection from the Ministry of Justice.
Sikkharin, known on the tourist island in Surat Thani for providing free transport to pregnant women, elderly residents, disabled people and poor families, was beaten and shot dead on May 24 in a dispute said to have involved illegal black-plate taxi drivers.
His wife, Onchuma, said after the incident that the family no longer felt safe in the area.
In an update on Thursday, Pol Lt Gen Trairong said the investigation had made considerable progress.
Police placed top priority on the family’s safety, with a meeting between the provincial police and the Rights and Liberties Protection Department held to seek proper protection for witnesses in the case.
The spokesman affirmed the Royal Thai Police would not tolerate any influential groups or mafia establishments causing trouble for the public.
Regardless of who commits an offence, officers will proceed with strict legal action to build confidence among the public and tourists, Pol Lt Gen Trairong said.
