At just after nine in the morning on March 9, 1953, a police officer in plain clothes shot Ari Liwira, the publisher of Thailand's top daily newspaper at the time, dead at his beachside retreat in Hua Hin, a quiet coastal town about three hours by car south of Ari had just finished taking a walk along the seashore. When he reached his bungalow, he saw his maid, Chanthana Yimcharoen, in the yard washing clothes. She was talking to a man Ari did not recognize. As Ari approached, the man turned to him and said that "Rong Maitri" (Police Lieutenant Colonel Maitri Banyen), a police officer and a friend, was coming to town and would like his help in finding him a place to stay The two men then walked out of the yard through a gate in the compound's fence, where a second stranger stood waiting. This man drew a pistol and with great calm shot Ari three times. Both strangers then got into a jeep that had been waiting for them nearby and left the scene. Ari died ten minutes later, with his wife by his side 2