Veteran Prachin Buri Politician Faces Murder Charge After Shooting Death of Adopted Son
A veteran politician in Prachin Buri is facing a murder charge after allegedly orchestrating the shooting of his adopted son, a provincial councillor, over a political dispute. The incident has shocked the local community, as the two men were involved in a heated confrontation over the upcoming election for the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO).
Soonthorn Vilawan, 86, the long-serving president of the PAO and father of a former cabinet minister, was arrested on Wednesday evening in connection with the death of 49-year-old Chaimet Sitsanitphong, a provincial council member and Muay Thai boxing promoter. Along with Mr. Soonthorn, six of his aides were also detained, including the two men suspected of carrying out the shooting.
The incident occurred around 8:20 pm at Mr. Soonthorn’s residence in Muang district, where Chaimet’s body was discovered lying at the base of a staircase, surrounded by over 10 spent bullet casings. Authorities believe that Chaimet, known in local circles by his alias “Sor Jor Tong,” had gone to the house to discuss the upcoming PAO chairmanship election. However, a disagreement between the two escalated, culminating in a fatal altercation.
Police Chief Pol Maj Gen Phumin Sinhasut confirmed that multiple firearms, including a 9mm pistol and a shotgun, were found at the scene. Although no war weapons were involved, the incident was clearly linked to the tense political climate surrounding the PAO chairmanship.
According to police, the argument between the two men quickly turned violent. Mr. Soonthorn’s aides, Thanasarankorn “Golf” Techathanatchot and Saksit “Toon” Chinnawong, allegedly opened fire on Chaimet before fleeing the scene. The two gunmen were arrested later that night. All seven men—Mr. Soonthorn and his aides—were brought to the Muang district police station for questioning.
Political sources revealed that Chaimet had long been considered Mr. Soonthorn’s right-hand man, playing a pivotal role in his family’s long-standing influence over Prachin Buri politics. As a prominent Muay Thai boxing promoter, Chaimet was well known in the local community, but his involvement in local politics was equally significant.
The killing has sent shockwaves through the region, as it highlights the deep divisions within local politics, particularly over control of the PAO. Mr. Soonthorn, whose family has been a dominant force in the province for decades, now faces serious charges in the tragic death of his adopted son.
National Police Chief Condemns Prachin Buri Shooting as a Challenge to the Law
National Police Chief, Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch, condemned the fatal shooting of Chaimet Sitsanitphong in Prachin Buri as an “outrageous act” and a direct challenge to the rule of law. The crime, which police believe is linked to a local political dispute, has shocked the region, raising concerns about the impact of political rivalries on public safety.
On Thursday, Pol Gen Kittharath confirmed that a special team from the Crime Suppression Division had been dispatched to Prachin Buri to assist local investigators from Provincial Police Region 2 and the Prachin Buri provincial police. The seven suspects, including 86-year-old Soonthorn Vilawan, the president of the Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO), are facing charges of colluding in murder and violating weapons laws.
While the national police chief acknowledged the political motives behind the crime, he refrained from revealing further details, citing ongoing investigations. During initial questioning, Mr. Soonthorn, who has a long political history, claimed that he was resting in his room at the time of the shooting and was unaware of the events that transpired.
Police have opposed granting bail to the suspects, citing concerns that they might intimidate witnesses or tamper with evidence during the investigation. The seven individuals, including Mr. Soonthorn and his aides, are currently being held in custody.
Mr. Soonthorn, a member of the Bhumjaithai Party, has had a significant political career. He served as a deputy public health minister under the Chavalit Yongchaiyudh government from 1996 to 1997 and has been an eight-time Member of Parliament for the eastern province of Prachin Buri. His family has been a dominant political force in the area for decades.
However, Mr. Soonthorn’s reputation has been tarnished in recent years. In June 2022, he was implicated in an alleged forest encroachment scandal in Khao Yai National Park, a case that raised significant public concern. Moreover, his daughter, Kanokwan Vilawan, a former Bhumjaithai MP, was banned from holding elected office for life by the Supreme Court in February 2024 due to her involvement in a similar forest encroachment case.
The ongoing investigation into Chaimet’s death is expected to shed further light on the tensions within Prachin Buri’s political landscape, as well as the broader implications for local governance and the influence of powerful political families in the region.
