One held, another sought over singer's death

One held, another sought over singer's death
Police issued an arrest warrant yesterday for a 25-year-old man suspected to be one of two men who threw a rock at a cafe singer, fatally injuring her.

Published on December 14, 2007


Police interrogated the suspect, Ekkachai Joykaew, for two hours yesterday, and although he maintained his innocence, the warrant was filed.

According to a witness, the 20-year-old singer, Saowapa "Nong Beer" Petchlek, had spoken rudely to someone named "Ek", one of two young men on a Suzuki motorcycle that drove past the cafe early on Thursday morning.

The two men then came back and threw a 1.5-kilogram rock at Saowapa causing a fatal injury. She died later in Kamphaeng Phet Hospital.

Police Region 6 Commander Lt-General Wasan Wassanont said the case was not one of murder but of aggravated assault causing death. Although the suspect maintained his innocence, police believed they had sufficient evidence to prosecute him.

Meanwhile, Kosamphi Nakhon district chief Jamras Kangnoi and senior officials paid a visit to Saowapa's 38-year-old mother at the family's home, where the cafe singer's funeral was held.

Jamras gave her clothes, a relief bag and some money and promised to help find her a job. Saowapa's cremation ceremony will be held on Saturday.

In a similar stone throwing attack in Angthong yesterday, 29 year-old Wasan Sanohjit sustained a head wound that required 33 stitches and a cut on his left arm after a brick was thrown into the car he was travelling in with friends.

Some ill-intentioned persons on a motorbike threw a brick at a car in which Wasan and four colleagues were driving.

The group was reportedly on their way back home after a meal at a restaurant in Angthong's Wiset Chai Chan district when two men on a motorcycle threw the brick into the car.

The Nation

Kamphaeng Phet