NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A person of interest in the murder of a coconut plantation owner has been arrested at his house in Pak Phanang district after a two-day stand-off with police.
Pradit Ramkaw, 58, had been holed up inside since the afternoon of June 29, when he fired several shots at five police who arrived to search the house for a gun that may have been used in the fatal shooting of Udom Ramkaw, 56, on June 23.
The suspect and the victim were relatives and police wanted to examine the weapon. They had a search warrant issued by the Pak Phanang court.
Protected by shields, none of the officers were injured.
Relatives were brought to the house to help police negotiate the man's surrender, but made no progress.
The siege ended on Sunday. Believing the suspect was tired by then, police stormed into the house. The man, who was holding a shotgun, was detained after a brief scuffle.
Pol Col Chokedee Srimuang, superintendent of Muang Nakhon Si Thammarat police, said Mr Pradit faced several charges over the stand-off, including attempted murder and obstructing officers in the performance of their duty.
He said police had yet to question Mr Pradit about the shooting of Udom.
He said the suspect had a hearing problem and investigators asked his relatives to help during questioning.
