Senior Yala police officer nearing retirement killed by suspected insurgents

Police said that Col. Sompien Eksomya, superintendent of Bannang Sata district in Yala province, was killed Friday after insurgents set off a bomb that destroyed the pickup truck in which he was traveling and then opened fire. Three other officers were wounded.

Songkhla native Pol Col Sompien was known as the “Fighter at Budo Mountain” and “Iron Leg” as he carried out most of his patrols on foot. He earlier sought transfer out of the area to Trang province before his retirement this year after 40 years in service.

However, his request was rejected and he travelled to ask for justice at the Government House making a national news headline. 

Pol Col Sompien sought help from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House. He said he would like to end his career in safety.

Pol Col Sompien told friend, Pol Col Saratoon Pradit, chief of Sa Bot district police in Lop Buri that he had not received any help, even though the Royal Thai Police assured him he would get fair treatment.