Lopburi: Police took "Art," the leader of the team that abducted, murdered, and burned the body of a young manager, to the crime scene in Chai Badan District, Lopburi Province.
According to Thai News Agency, police have detained Sub-Lieutenant Phumes, or Art, the suspect wanted on an arrest warrant for the abduction, murder, and burning of the body of Mr. Rut, the manager of a medical equipment import company. Art was apprehended by Lao police and extradited back to Thailand. This morning, police from Sutthisan Police Station escorted him to the crime scene, an abandoned house in Chai Badan District, where he allegedly concealed and burned Mr. Rut's body.
The police officer on duty supervising the inmate's cell reported that Mr. Art appeared normal, showing no signs of stress or anxiety. He did not make any special requests, only asking for water, and was sleeping and eating normally. This morning, relatives of Mr. Art visited him at Sutthisan Police Station. They refused to speak to the media, only stating that any issues should be discussed with the police.
At 8:00 AM, police escorted Mr. Art into a van to the crime scene. He was still wearing the same clothes: a gray t-shirt and black shorts with yellow accents, with a shirt covering his head, and sat with his head down in the back seat. Reports indicate that Mr. Art, the leader of the abduction team, has confessed to everything, as stated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Commissioner. However, he continues to deny involvement in Mr. Rut's murder. On March 16th, investigators will question the suspect further to see if his confession changes following the arrest of the abduction leader.
Mr. Art's testimony implicated four other individuals in helping to burn and conceal the body. Authorities are gathering evidence to request additional arrest warrants. Testimonies suggest that these individuals were merely part of the team that disposed of the body, and were unlikely involved in the death. It is expected that the person who murdered Mr. Rut is among the suspects already arrested, but none have yet admitted to it.