Ex-minister Sunthorn Wilawan, 87, gets life after his adopted son and political lieutenant was shot 22 times at his Prachin Buri home. The court found Sunthorn personally fired three shotgun rounds as a once-powerful alliance ended with a foul murder in 2024.
Former cabinet minister Sunthorn Wilawan, 87, will spend life behind bars for joining the brutal killing of his adopted son and longtime right-hand man. Chaimet Sitsanitphong was shot 22 times inside the Prachin Buri powerbroker’s home after their political alliance collapsed. The court initially sentenced Sunthorn and three aides to death. Crucially, forensic evidence showed the veteran Bhumjaithai figure personally fired three shotgun rounds. Yet judges rejected premeditation, finding Chaimet unexpectedly returned after an emotional confrontation. The verdict lays bare the bloody collapse of a powerful eastern Thailand “Big House” alliance.
Former cabinet minister and Prachin Buri political powerbroker Sunthorn Wilawan was sentenced to death for murder on Thursday. However, the Criminal Court immediately commuted his sentence to life imprisonment after considering mitigating circumstances.
The 87-year-old former deputy public health minister was convicted alongside three aides. They killed former provincial councillor Chaimet Sitsanitphong, 49, known as “SJ Tong”, inside Sunthorn’s home. Chaimet was shot 22 times with shotgun and handgun fire on December 11, 2024.
Yet the victim was no political enemy from outside Sunthorn’s formidable Prachin Buri network. Chaimet was his longtime right-hand man and effectively his adopted son. He was also a Muay Thai boxing promoter and former provincial councillor. Their relationship eventually fractured amid a bitter struggle over provincial politics.
Sunthorn personally joined fatal shooting as court sentences four men to death before commuting terms
Crucially, Thursday’s judgment found that Sunthorn personally joined the shooting. Forensic evidence showed he took a shotgun belonging to aide Saksit Chinwong and fired three rounds. Sunthorn claimed he fired three warning shots outside the house. However, the judges rejected that explanation as a later attempt to account for gunshot residue evidence.
Three aides received the same initial punishment. They were Thanasarankorn Techathanatchot, Saksit Chinwong and Apisit Sodchuen. The court initially imposed death sentences on all four men. Nevertheless, useful testimony and other mitigating circumstances reduced those sentences to life imprisonment.
The ruling marked a dramatic turn for one of eastern Thailand’s veteran political powerbrokers. Sunthorn was an eight-term Prachin Buri MP and former Prachin Buri Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) president. Moreover, he served as deputy public health minister between 1996 and 1997 under Prime Minister Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.
Sunthorn later became a Bhumjaithai Party member. Meanwhile, his family built an entrenched Prachin Buri political machine spanning decades. Such provincial networks are commonly called “Baan Yai”, or “Big House”, political organisations.
Sunthorn arrives in wheelchair as court opens verdict in eight-defendant Prachin Buri murder case
The Criminal Court delivered its judgment at 9 am on September 24 in courtroom 914. The proceedings carried case number A629/2568. Prosecutors from the Criminal Litigation Division 5 brought charges against eight defendants. All pleaded not guilty and were brought from prison to hear the ruling.
Sunthorn was defendant seven. Notably, he arrived wearing glasses and a prison uniform under correctional regulations. He sat in a wheelchair pushed by one of his subordinates and wore no restraints. Sunthorn smiled and wai-ed acquaintances attending the hearing.
Nearby, Chaimet’s widow Napaphat “SJ Joy” Anyasaneechamon arrived with more than 30 people. She had waited almost two years for the first-instance judgment.
The case began with a political meeting at Sunthorn’s home on the evening of December 11, 2024. The property stands on Roman Uthit Road in Na Mueang, Muang district, Prachin Buri. Chaimet arrived with approximately 20 supporters.
At the time, his wife was preparing to contest the Prachin Buri PAO presidency. Accordingly, Chaimet went to seek Sunthorn’s political support for her candidacy. The meeting instead deteriorated into an emotional confrontation.
Chaimet returns through side door after emotional confrontation before gunfire tears through the house
Witnesses said Chaimet entered the house alone. Sunthorn then came downstairs from the second floor, and the two men argued. During the confrontation, Sunthorn cried. Chaimet knelt before his adoptive father and begged for forgiveness before walking outside.
At that point, the encounter appeared finished. Chaimet reached the electronically controlled gate and waited for it to open. Then he changed his mind. Instead of leaving, he returned through a side door beside the swimming pool.
That decision later became critical to the court’s findings on premeditation. Chaimet remained inside for more than 20 minutes. Witnesses then heard more than ten gunshots. Someone shouted that Chaimet had been shot and called for transport to hospital.
Police subsequently found Chaimet near the staircase leading towards the second floor. Investigators recovered numerous 9mm cartridge cases and documented extensive bullet damage throughout the house. Two different types of ammunition were also recovered from Chaimet’s body.
There was no eyewitness who saw the entire shooting. Consequently, the prosecution relied heavily on ballistics, bullet paths and gunshot residue. Investigators also conducted reconstructions to establish firing positions, distances and which defendants discharged weapons.
Forensic evidence ties three defendants to shooting as Sunthorn’s instruction to aide emerges in court
The court accepted evidence showing that Thanasarankorn and Saksit fired at Chaimet. Their involvement was also consistent with admissions made during the investigation. Meanwhile, residue evidence linked Sunthorn to Saksit’s shotgun.
Apisit claimed he had hidden inside a storage room during the shooting. However, residue and reconstruction evidence contradicted his account. Additionally, investigators had an earlier statement from Apisit concerning Sunthorn.
According to that evidence, Sunthorn told him to “beat the deceased if he came to the house”. The judges considered that instruction alongside the physical evidence.
Despite the four murder convictions, prosecutors failed to establish premeditation. Chaimet had initially left Sunthorn’s home before unexpectedly returning. Furthermore, Sunthorn’s three subordinates were already at the property.
Prosecutors could not establish that Sunthorn summoned the men specifically to kill Chaimet. Nor was there evidence of a planning meeting or advance division of roles. Therefore, the court found insufficient evidence for the prosecution’s premeditated-murder case.
Court rejects premeditation and criminal association as four other defendants face sharply different fates
Similarly, the judges rejected the criminal-association case. The prosecution had not established an advance meeting, division of responsibilities or organised plan.
Four other defendants faced markedly different outcomes. Thanapat “Naew” Songsaeng was defendant three, while Sitthichai “Jim” Sripakdee was defendant five. Phatthanon “Off” Boonchu was defendant six. Minchayarat “May” Phacharamakul was defendant eight.
Only a small amount of gunshot residue was found on Thanapat. In contrast, investigators found none on Sitthichai or Phatthanon. The court consequently found insufficient evidence that any of the three participated in Chaimet’s murder.
However, Thanapat and Sitthichai were separately convicted under the Firearms Act. Thanapat received eight months in prison and a ฿7,000 fine. Sitthichai received one year and two months in prison, plus an ฿8,000 fine. The court suspended both prison sentences for two years.
Phatthanon was acquitted. Likewise, Minchayarat was cleared after prosecutors failed to establish that she assisted the killing.
Warning message fails to implicate eighth defendant as court awards Chaimet’s family ฿801,400 damages
The court heard that Minchayarat drove past Sunthorn’s house and noticed numerous vehicles and people. She subsequently sent Thanasarankorn a warning message. However, prosecutors could not prove she provided further assistance.
Separately, Chaimet’s brother brought a civil compensation claim as executor of his estate. He sought more than ฿1 million, including funeral expenses. The court instead awarded ฿801,400, carrying annual interest of 5%.
Sunthorn, Thanasarankorn, Saksit and Apisit were made jointly liable for the payment. Defendants three, five, six and eight were not ordered to pay compensation.
Immediately after the killing, police surrounded Sunthorn’s house and took Sunthorn and six aides into custody. Sunthorn denied ordering his adopted son’s murder and rejected a connection with the PAO political dispute.
When taken for remand the following day, Sunthorn instead stressed their personal relationship. He said he loved Chaimet like family and had always helped him.
Political rupture deepens after corruption case and PAO battle as Sunthorn family faces further setbacks
Behind that public declaration lay a relationship that had deteriorated over several years. One rupture followed a corruption case involving Sunthorn’s younger sister, Bang-on Wilawan. She was another former Prachin Buri PAO president.
The case concerned suspected bid collusion involving 15 projects. Chaimet became caught up in the proceedings and spent time in prison. However, he was acquitted in 2023. Thai reports later said his relationship with Sunthorn was never the same.
Subsequently, the struggle over the Prachin Buri PAO opened another divide. Chaimet wanted his wife to contest the presidency. Reports also said he was moving towards the Pheu Thai political camp.
Significantly, Chaimet had reportedly communicated with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra without first informing Sunthorn. His wife’s candidacy threatened a direct challenge to the established Big House network.
Against that backdrop, a recording emerged of an intense argument involving Chaimet, Sunthorn and another local politician. The dispute provided a stark glimpse of their deteriorating relationship before the fatal meeting.
Sunthorn’s family had also faced major legal setbacks before the shooting. His daughter Kanokwan Wilawan became a Bhumjaithai MP and later served as deputy education minister.
Sunthorn made national headlines in June 2022 over forest encroachment claims involving Khao Yai National Park. Separately, Kanokwan faced proceedings concerning forest land.
In February 2024, the Supreme Court banned Kanokwan from elected office for life over forest encroachment. Ten months later, Chaimet was killed inside her father’s home.
Meanwhile, the killing dramatically changed Napaphat’s political plans. She initially considered abandoning local politics before later announcing a Prachin Buri PAO presidential bid.
Chaimet’s widow steps back from politics as family delays cremation and possible appeals remain ahead
Several prominent political figures attended Chaimet’s funeral or offered support. They included Capt Thamanat Prompow, Chada Thaised and Suchart Chomklin.
By Thursday, however, Napaphat’s position had changed again. She said she no longer held political office and rarely visited the area. Instead, she spent most of her time caring for her children.
Napaphat also said she no longer felt the fear she experienced immediately after her husband’s death. For now, she has no plan to contest another local election.
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Nearly two years after the shooting, Chaimet’s body remains at Wat Makok Simaram in Muang district, Prachin Buri. His family has still not proceeded with cremation. Napaphat said relatives would discuss arrangements later.
Before entering court on Thursday, she said she had spoken to her late husband. Napaphat said she told Chaimet’s spirit to accompany her to hear the judgment.
After the verdict, lawyer Nitisak MeeKhuat stressed the importance of the forensic case. He said witnesses could lie but forensic evidence could not.
Thursday’s decision remains a first-instance Criminal Court judgment. The parties must now examine the full written ruling before determining whether to appeal.
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