The charred remains of Samran Phetchpradap, 44, his wife Rungthip Saithong, 35, and their oneyearold daughter were recovered from their one-storey home in Tambon Salalai of Sam Roi Yod district.

The incident had been treated as an acci?dent, but initial autopsy results from the Institute of Forensic Medicine showed five wounds on Samran and one each on Rungthip and the baby caused by an 11mm pistol, the source said. It appeared that the fire was deliberately set to cover up the killings.

Police later reported that Nipon Changkaew, 38, confessed to kill the family of three over rage that the family failed to pay him a labour fee. He said he killed the three victims and borned their home to cover up the crime before fleeing.

Suwira then took Nipon to apologise in front of the three victims’ coffins at Wat Don Yai Noo in Parchuap Khiri Khan’s Kui Buri district while their relatives were condemning him.

After he led police to retrieve the pistol he used in killing the victims, Nipon was sent for detention at sam Roy Yot Police Station later last night. Suwira then took Nipon to apologise in front of the three victims’ coffins at Wat Don Yai Noo in Parchuap Khiri Khan’s Kui Buri district while their relatives were condemning him.

After he led police to retrieve the pistol he used in killing the victims, Nipon was sent for detention at sam Roy Yot Police Station later last night.