Narathiwat: Another driver in the car shooting of MP Kamolsak has been arrested. His testimony has provided valuable information, bringing authorities closer to identifying the mastermind. An arrest warrant has also been issued for the owner of a garage that dismantles vehicles.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident involved assailants using a pickup truck belonging to the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) in Narathiwat province, who fired an M16 rifle at the vehicle of Mr. Kamolsak Leewamae, Member of Parliament for Narathiwat Constituency 5 of the Prachachart Party. The attack occurred in front of his residence on Phetkasem Road, Bajoh Subdistrict, Bajoh District, Narathiwat Province on March 20, 2026. Mr. Uchalam Kohloh, the driver, and Police Sergeant Harirak Heemmina, a police escort, were seriously injured in the incident.
Recently, the investigation team arrested Mr. Alawi, 24, on April 2nd, under a warrant issued as part of the Criminal Procedure Code. This arrest brings the total number of suspects to four, with Mr. Alawi apprehended while hiding in Bangkok. This follows the earlier arrests of Mr. Somporn, a former Marine, and Mr. Yosakorn, a father and son duo. One remaining accomplice, Mr. Thanapat, remains at large.
Mr. Alawi has been taken into custody for further questioning at the interrogation center. He confessed to driving the pickup truck used in the attack, which the assailants used to shoot at Mr. Kamolsak's car. His testimony has been crucial in identifying the number of perpetrators involved. However, specific details are being withheld to avoid compromising the investigation. The investigation is expanding to encompass all involved parties, including the individual who took the vehicle used in the attack to a garage for dismantling. A warrant has been issued for Mr. Thanapat, as well as a former naval petty officer, who is not yet wanted. Their apprehension is expected to reveal the total number of accomplices and the identity of the mastermind behind the attack or the individual who hired them.
Upon completing their inquiry with Mr. Alawi, the investigating officers handed him over to the authorities for legal proceedings to commence.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Prayong Kotrasakha, commander of the Narathiwat Provincial Police, disclosed that the court has issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Sunthorn, the owner of a car repair shop in Tak Bai District, Narathiwat Province, under the Criminal Procedure Code. Mr. Sunthorn is accused of dismantling the vehicle used in the incident. Although he denies involvement in the shooting of MP Kamolsak, he admitted to dismantling a white four-door Toyota Vigo sedan. He claims he was contacted by Mr. Somporn, a former Marine acquaintance of over 20 years. Two men brought the car to him on the night of the incident, between 1:00 and 2:00 AM on March 20, 2026, and Mr. Sunthorn drove them to the former Marine's house. He only realized later, through news reports, that he might be implicated in the shooting of the MP in the Bajoh area, after being instructed by the former Marine to dismantle the car.