A local politician, along with two others, is being investigated in connection with the shooting deaths of two petrol station workers in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. The victims, a 50-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man known as Phromjak, were found dead at the scene without any clear evidence or shell casings. The petrol station’s 13 CCTV cameras were not functioning at the time.
As of January 1, detectives from Provincial Police Region 4 and Nakhon Phanom continued their investigation, awaiting an autopsy report from the Institute of Forensic Medicine Khon Kaen. The leading theory suggests a potential love triangle as the motive, with a stronger possibility than a dispute over a petrol bill.
Three suspects, including the local politician, have been detained, and investigators are examining a mysterious phone number that was in contact with the deceased before the incident. This leads the police to consider a romantic conflict, especially as the female victim was single and had a close relationship with the other deceased employee. Investigators haven’t ruled out the possibility of corruption related to a disputed petrol bill, as hinted at by the petrol station’s owner.
The local administration organization of Ban Phueng clarified that no prior investigations had taken place regarding petrol bill corruption. It was a preventative measure against corruption, requiring clear evidence for fueling, issued 2-3 months ago.
The sister of the deceased male employee, aged 32, shared chat messages from a group of petrol station employees. Her brother had mentioned a kind customer who gifted them six bottles of beer before the incident. When she arrived at the petrol station half an hour later, she found both victims shot dead, with five bottles of beer remaining in her brother’s room. This suggests a potential link between the perpetrator and the victims, indicating a prior conversation.
The Nakhon Phanom Provincial Police Station couldn’t reveal extensive details due to the ongoing investigation. However, they emphasized the primary focus on the love triangle theory, supported by evidence and witness accounts. Further proceedings await the autopsy results. Initial investigations into the deceased’s phone records have provided leads, leading to the detention of three suspects for further questioning and evidence collection.
While the corruption angle related to the disputed petrol bill hasn’t been completely dismissed, it carries less weight as no evidence of corruption or blame has been found. It was merely a suspicion raised by the petrol station owner. Nonetheless, the police remain committed to apprehending the culprit and request time for further investigation.
