Wisut Tangwittayaporn
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- Journalist
- editor
- publisher
Wisut Tangwittayaporn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c. 1968 |
| Died | January 12, 2012 (aged 43–44) Phuket, Thailand |
| Other names | Ae Inside |
| Occupations |
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| Employers |
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| Movement | United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship |
| Spouse | Jiraporn Hosakul |
Wisut Tangwittayaporn, also known as Ae Inside, (c. 1968 – 12 January 2012) was a journalist, editor for Phuket E-News and publisher of Inside Phuket in Phuket, Thailand. He was most notable for being a journalist who reported on controversial land claims, as well as being a political activist. He was assassinated by professional gunmen in rush hour traffic on 12 January 2012.
Wisut Tangwittayaporn was married to Jiraporn Hosakul. He was cremated at the Kajonrangsan Temple in Phuket Town. A billboard outside of the crematorium read, "The fearless reporter who never feared death – Ae Inside".[1][2]
Career
Wisut Tangwittayaporn was a journalist. He owned the newspaper Inside Phuket and he edited Phuket E-News.[3][4] Wisut covered some controversial stories, including land claims in Freedom Beach and other areas in Phuket and an exposé on illegalities within the system of the transfer and promotion of government officers.[5]
Wisut was also the secretary of the Red Shirt political group, a group that opposed the military coup that overthrew Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Wisut also led a local community group that opposed the private use of Freedom Beach.[3][6]
Death
Wisut was killed on 12 January 2012 by two gunmen on a motorcycle. He had been under observation by his killers for two months. Wisut and his wife were in a black Honda Jazz on Thepkasattri Road in Phuket when gunmen pulled their motorcycle in front of his car and shot him three times with four shots fired before making their getaway. The crime was captured by surveillance video. Wisut died in Vachira Phuket Hospital. Wisut's wife, Jiraporn "Ji" Hosakul, survived the attack unharmed and was able to describe the gunmen and vehicle to police. There were also other witnesses at the scene.[2][5][7][8][9][10]
Noppadol "Pae" Praisri was arrested and confessed to being the driver of the motorcycle. He said he was paid 50,000 baht. He also accused Sanya "Noo" Klinchum of being the gunman. Noppadol reenacted the crime for the police and images of his demonstration appeared in the media.[7][8] Sanya "Noo" Klinchum was arrested as the gunman.[9] Noppadol implicated Somkuan "Mr. Boy" Deepan as the person who arranged the shooting and paid for it but Somkuan remains uncaught today.[9]
The main suspect for ordering the murder was Ausadakorn "Pord" Sidorkbaow, the director of KPP Cable TV and deputy director of the Phuket's Chamber of Commerce. Ausadakorn was allegedly friends with Somkuan, or "Mr. Boy", and he was mentioned in a column written by Wisut. For his part Ausadakorn said Somokuan had been a worker at one of his construction sites and that he was friends with Wisut. Without the confession of Somkuan, he was granted bail, he denied any involvement, and he was never convicted.[11][12][13]
Context
At the time of Wisut's death, Thailand lacked freedom of speech as several journalists were imprisoned for insulting the monarchy.[14] There were several other murders related to the real estate industry in the province around the time of Wisut's death as well.[15] Forbidden Stories named Wisut Tangwittayaporn as 1 of 13 reporters investigating environmental issues that were killed between 2009 and 2019.[16]
Impact
After Wisut's death, Pheu Thai Party officials investigated the land at Freedom Beach, which is associated with his reporting and political activity.[17]