FIVE EXECUTED IN ONE DAY AT BANG KWANG

2 Murderers, 3 Drug Traffickers Shot Dead

Five prisoners were executed yesterday at Bang Kwang Maxium Security Prison.

The five shot dead were two murderers _ Thawin Munsarn, 36, and Surakij
Limcharoenwongse, 47 _ and three drug traffickers _ Jai Sangoh, 38,
Kulchanok Intesaraj, 24, and Netnoi Sangkad, 36.

Thawin was convicted for the premeditated murder of his in-laws on February
15, 1999.

Yos Uaychai, Thawin's father-in-law, was found dead at his home, along with
two of his sons. His wife anddaughter, who was Thawin's wife, were
seriously injured after having their throats slashed.

Surakij was found guilty of shooting to death Charnarong Pitayakul and his
wife, Yadroong, before burning the bodies on March 15, 1993, in Nakon
Ratchasima's Pak Chong district.

The murder was sparked by a conflict over the trafficking of women to Japan.

The three drug traffickers, all hilltribe members, were arrested in
possession of a total of 560,000 amphetamine pills on December 8, 1997.

Final meals and Buddhist prayers were provided to the five felons.