Narathiwat: The gunman involved in the shooting of MP Kamolsak, identified as Captain Viroj, has arrived in Narathiwat, where authorities are actively interrogating him to uncover the mastermind behind the attack. Captain Viroj admitted to firing the first shot but maintains he does not know who orchestrated the attack. He disclosed that after resigning from the military, he spent 16 years working for the United Nations before returning to Thailand, where he lived with Somporn, another suspect, and learned of the assassination plan.
According to Thai News Agency, Captain Viroj was escorted by the Arintharat special forces unit to the Narathiwat City Police Station, where he faced a barrage of reporters but remained expressionless and did not address any questions. The investigating officers promptly took him to the interrogation room to delve deeper into the case.
Police Lieutenant General Nophasin Phoolsawat, part of the Metropolitan Police investigation team, stated that Captain Viroj confessed to all charges, including shooting MP Kamolsak and his driver. He revealed close ties with Mr. Somporn, a former naval officer like himself. Before the shooting, Viroj served as Lieutenant Commander and Deputy Commander of the 8th Infantry Battalion, Marine Corps Division, in Narathiwat. After leaving the military, he worked for the UN in Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The COVID-19 pandemic forced him to resign, and he later attempted to start a failed security company. In early 2023, he returned to Narathiwat to establish a shooting range and stayed with Mr. Somporn, who later invited him to join the shooting team. Captain Viroj claimed he hesitated before the attack and only shot at the car's front, emphasizing that Mr. Somporn was his sole contact for the job.
In response, Police General Samran Nuadma, Deputy National Police Chief, has ordered Police Region 9 to assemble an investigative team to thoroughly examine Mr. Somporn's involvement and gather substantial evidence in the case.