Cop accused of killing nine found hanged, Bangkok Post

TAK : Police have issued arrest warrants for five people suspected of killing nine Burmese migrant workers.

A police officer believed to be the leader of the alleged killers has hanged himself.

Provincial Police Bureau 6 chief Surasi Sunthornsarathoon said yesterday Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somchai Pinkaew, an officer at Phop Phra district police station, had admitted to killing the Burmese workers while in the company of five hilltribe men.

Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somchai was found hanged on Saturday after he confessed to the massacre before his police colleagues and his supervisor, Pol Lt Gen Surasi said.

The five hilltribe men were former Haw Chinese soldiers and ethnic Lisu named Sai, Yozu, Laota, Epu, Zotu and Fofang.

Pol Sen Sgt Maj Somchai and his five aides had allegedly tried to extort money from the illegal migrant workers who ran away when they saw the group approaching, Pol Lt Gen Surasi said.

The gunmen allegedly hunted them down and killed them, he said.

A police officer from Provincial Police Bureau6 based in Phitsanulok was killed in an attack by a group of unidentified gunmen at about 2am yesterday. The attack is not believed to be connected with the nine killings.