BANGKOK, Thailand – The Criminal Court has sentenced Kamnan Nok, a former prominent village head from Nakhon Pathom Province, to life imprisonment for ordering the shooting death of a highway police officer. The court cited clear evidence and witness testimonies that confirmed his involvement in the crime.
Kamnan Nok, whose real name is a well-known figure in Nakhon Pathom, was convicted for the death of Police Lieutenant Colonel “Bank,” who was shot during a birthday celebration at Kamnan Nok’s residence in Nakhon Pathom. Initially facing the death penalty for murder, Kamnan Nok’s sentence was reduced to life imprisonment due to mitigating circumstances, including his compensation of 5 co-plaintiffs, which led to their withdrawal of complaints.
The case was examined by the court, which found that the testimonies from witnesses were consistent. The incident took place when Kamnan Nok asked for a transfer of a police relative from car patrol to motorcycle patrol. However, Police Lieutenant Colonel Bank rejected the request, stating that it could be reconsidered in October due to an expected retirement. This refusal angered Kamnan Nok.
In retaliation, Police Lieutenant Colonel Bank challenged Kamnan Nok to a drinking contest. During the contest, after failing to outdrink Kamnan Nok, Bank used a cloth to tie their arms together when handcuffs could not be found. Kamnan Nok, feeling humiliated, became enraged and slammed the table, storming out of the VIP area. His relatives and Bank followed him to apologize, but Kamnan Nok reportedly told them, “Blood will stain your face.”
Kamnan Nok then demanded a weapon, and his close associate, Tananchai “Nong” Thapha, approached him to ask who he wanted to target. After being directed toward Lieutenant Colonel Bank, Tananchai retrieved a gun and shot him seven times, killing him on the spot and injuring another person severely.
The court ruled that Kamnan Nok was responsible for ordering the killing, a violation of the law. While initially facing the death penalty, the sentence was reduced to life imprisonment because of the defendant’s actions to settle with the co-plaintiffs, which the court considered a mitigating factor. Additionally, the sentence would be served concurrently with a previous two-year prison term related to another case of corruption.
Upon hearing the verdict, Kamnan Nok appeared visibly anxious but later showed signs of relief, embracing his wife and mother, breaking into tears. The ruling allows for an appeal to be filed within 30 days.
The court’s judgment acknowledged the defendant’s role in instigating the murder and sentenced him accordingly. Kamnarn Nok showed visible signs of distress during the verdict reading but later embraced his wife and mother, breaking down in tears. He has 30 days to appeal the ruling. (TNA)
