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Wisit Peungrassamee, a former forestry official, had long collect¬ed protection fees from vendors in major markets across Chiang Mai.

He had many henchmen.

When he learnt that a juice ven¬dor at the Waroros market refused to pay, Wisit ordered the killing.

However, his henchmen shot a wrong man.

Chaiyakorn Maihom - the juice vendor's adoptive son  was shot dead on January 7 of 1996 after he answered the door for his father.

Gunmen were identified as Udon Panroop and Boonyoo Kidtheung. Both have implicated Anan Kantiwong, who worked for Wisit.

The lower courts have convict¬ed Wisit of masterminding the murder and sentenced him to death.

Wisit had appealed.

After reviewing evidence and the convicted gunmen's confes¬sions, the Supreme Court yester¬day decided to uphold the death sentence.

Hearing the verdict, Wisit's face turned red and he apparently compressed his lips.

A few of his relatives showed up at the courtroom but none went up to comfort him.