UDON THANI: A senior railway police officer charged with murdering two police drinking buddies has told investigators their demeaning insults drove him to shoot them dead.
Pol Capt Somsadee Sutthiprapa, 59, deputy crime suppression chief at Nong Khai railway police station, appeared drunk when he was detained on Wednesday night shortly after the fatal shooting.
He was interrogated on Thursday morning after he sobered up, according to Pol Capt Chinathip Buakhem, deputy investigation chief at Muang district police station in Udon Thani.
During interrogation, the railway police officer allegedly admitted he shot dead Pol Lt Charnchai Pakinsee, 61, a retired railway policeman, and Pol Capt Somchai Seedaya, 47, a deputy investigation chief at Nong Khai railway police station.
He said he was driven by a fit of anger because the two of them were being insulting and demeaning to him while they were drinking at Pol Lt Charnchai’s house in Udon Thani’s Muang district on Wednesday evening.
Pol Capt Somsadee Sutthiprapa. (Supplied)
The two friends ridiculed him for not having a house and car like other policemen after serving so long in the police force. Their remarks made him angry.
So he got up and walked out, intending to return to his quarters. But he then turned around and fired a shot from his pistol at Pol Capt Somchai. He then shot Pol Lt Charnchai when he came out of the house after hearing the gunshot, according to interrogators.
Both men were hit in the chest. They were rushed to hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.
Pol Col Phumwit Vetkama, chief of Udon Thani’s Muang police station, said the suspect faced a charge of premeditated murder. He would be held in police custody for further interrogation.
Pol Lt Col Tangjai Jaisamut, investigation chief at Nong Khai railway police station, said Pol Capt Somsadee would meanwhile be suspended from the police force pending a fact-finding investigation.
Pol Capt Somsadee often had problems when drinking alcohol. When not drinking, his work was good, his superior said. He was due to retire next year.
