Arrest warrants for the culprits have been issued based on images from CCTV recordings.

“At this point, it is quite clear that the killer wanted his asset [the phone],” Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt-General Sanit Mahathavorn said yesterday.

He added that Wasin’s family and friends say he did not have any personal conflicts with anyone.

On Wednesday night, Wasin walked out of his office and crossed a road in Bangkok’s Lat Phrao district to withdraw cash and buy something at a convenience store. As he was about to walk back to his office, a motorcycle stopped in front of him and a man riding pillion threatened him with a knife.

Witnesses said they saw a fight break out and the man on the motorcycle repeatedly stabbed Wasin. The victim sustained wounds on his back and neck.

“I never thought that such a thing would happen to my family,” the victim’s father, Jesada Luangjame, 66, said tearfully. Wasin was his youngest child and only son.

“He was always a good boy. He was also hard working,” he said.

After graduating from Srinakharinwirot University, Wasin worked as a loader at Suvarnabhumi Airport but he quit his job in September to prepare himself for a pilot-training course. However, last month he decided to start an e-commerce business with his friends, which he believed he could do while simultaneously training as a pilot.

His office is about 200 metres from the scene of the crime.

Sanit said he was confident that police would be able to apprehend the culprits because the brutal robbery was recorded on CCTV cameras.

CCTV footage shows the culprits fleeing the scene towards the frontage road along the Art Narong-Ram Indra Expressway Route, Sanit said. They left behind a crash helmet and did not touch the victim’s cash, car key or wristwatch.

“Police are checking recordings from CCTV cameras in nearby areas. We believe the two culprits are still hiding in Bangkok,” he said.

“We are investigating the case. We will bring the culprits to justice,” said Pol Colonel Sarawut Jindakham, the acting superintendent of the Kokkram Police Station.