Bomb Attack on Businessman in Korat

[KoratCat]

Businessman killed by bomb

A businessman was killed when bombs planted in his car were set off yesterday alongside the Attorney Region 3 Office in Nakhon Ratchasima. Two Army officers who were passing the scene were also hurt.

Published on August 24, 2007


Police rushed to the scene at about 4pm to find the car totally destroyed. It took 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

They found the charred body of Thanakorn Meemol, 42, on the ground under the driver's door.

Major Nareumol Thong-washirapaiboon, a woman officer, and Senior Colonel Pattavuth Sutthirat were taken to Khai Suranaree Hospital after suffering shrapnel wounds.

Police learned that Thanakorn went to the office to discuss a drug case.

It was when he was about to open the door of his car that the bombs exploded, killing him instantly.

Police found two exploded bombs and one unexploded device inside the car.

They suspect the killers planted the explosives then detonated them by remote control from a distance where they could see the victim getting into his car.

Police believe the motive was a personal or a business-related conflict.

the Nation Aug. 24, 2007

[dutch (†2012)]

On channel 3 there was some news about this case (17.30 hr)
The victim was the new boyfriend of a local (female) loan shark.
No political motivs behind the attack .

[KoratCat]

Businesswoman Somjit held after explosion death

Nakhon Ratchasima police yesterday arrested an influential businesswoman in connection with an explosion involving her own Toyota SUV on August 23 that killed a man she knew.

Somjit Thiparphorn, 48, had her bail request denied and is now in detention following possession of explosives and firearms charges pressed against her.

Acting on a court warrant issued on Monday, officers apprehended her at a temple in Soong Nern district where she was attending a meditation course.

Somjit, an unmarried woman and a money lender, admitted that fellow businessman Thanakorn Neelmont, who was killed "accidentally" by the blast, according to police, had also moonlighted as an assassin, but denied having paid him to carry out a task, or knowing the reasons behind the explosion.

Deputy provincial police chief Pol Colonel Phongdej Phrommijitr said police were gathering more evidence to implicate other assailants, including at least one person with bomb-making knowledge.

Citing witness accounts, he said Somjit and Thanakorn hired a mobile phone repair shop in Pak Thong Chai district to modify a handset to enable it to detonate a bomb.

He said a 9-mm pistol and ammunition found in the wrecked SUV were the same type police seized from her house in Muang district.

The Nation Sept. 6, 2007