Contractor shot dead near school

Close aide injured in attack by hitman

A construction contractor was shot dead yesterday in front of a school and his close aide seriously wounded, police said. Thanakorn Khettasom, 39, was shot in front of Yupparaj Wittayalai School in Muang district while walking with Pol Sgt Pajon Moolkham, 35, attached to the provincial police bureau.

The men were out for lunch when a gunman walked up to them and shot Thanakorn in the head and the chest.

The gunman then turned the gun on Pol Sgt Pajon and fled in a red sedan with a false licence plate.

Pol Sgt Pajon was reported to be in stable condition.

Thanakorn was reportedly a serious gambler who ran a mortgage business.

He was a former aide to Surarat Muangnoi, ex-member of Chiang Mai municipal council who was gunned down several years ago.

Police said they are investigating the shooting and suspect it might be related to the victim's gambling activity or a business conflict.

Bangkok Post
Sunday January 28, 2007