Two Thais sentenced to death for killing Australian auditor

BANGKOK, Sept 5 (TNA) - Thailand's Criminal Court Tuesday handed down death sentences to two Thais found quilty of slaying an Australian auditor seven years ago after he had exposed corporate fraud during his investigation of a local sugar firm's massive debt.

Michael Wansley, 58, was shot dead by two gunmen on a motorcyle on March 10, 1999 as he was travelling to the Kaset Thai Sugar company in the northern province of Nakhon Sawan. Police investigation found that the company was operating at a loss, with a total debt of several billion baht.

The company's bank creditors agreed to hire Southern Sathorn Planner, the auditing company, to investigate the debt.

Wansley, the chief auditor, later uncovered alleged fraud which implicated some executives of the company.

Somchoke Suthiviriwan, brother of the mill owner Boonphan Suthiviriwan, and Sompong Buasakul, were sentenced to death after being convicted of pre-meditated murder.

Mr. Boonphan, was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiring to kill Wansley, while the mill's manager Pradit Siriwiriyakul was acquitted for lack of evidence.

TNA