Sanong Somsith, 54, the kamnan of Ban Pong district’s Tambon Lat Bua Khao, was brought for interrogation to the Metropolitan Police Bureau over the killing of Supaksorn Polthaisong.

Sanong was accused of suggesting to key suspect Pol Colonel Amnuay Pongsawat, 58, the superintendent of Ban Pong Police Station, who has already surrendered, to contact his subordinate, Niwat Suaythong, 32, to abduct the victim. It was also alleged that Sanong pocketed Bt60,000 as commission from the group who were hired for Bt200,000 to abduct and kill Supaksorn.

Meanwhile, Bangkok police chief Lt-General Sanit Mahathavorn has ordered investigators to speed up their search for evidence against a group who allegedly abducted Supaksorn from her Bangkok apartment before killing her, a police source said.

Supaksorn is believed to have been strangled by one of three male fugitives in the case after being taken away from her flat in Nong Khaem district on December 13, the source said. Investigators continue to pursue a romantic motive for the crime.

Four other suspects have been detained under court orders – Amnuay; Niwat; Amnuay’s alleged mistress Kannikar Krumram, 38; and Phumithat Phiboonsawat, 24. All have been refused bail.