This is the dramatic moment a femme fatale wife was arrested on June 3 for allegedly hiring hitmen to murder her cheating husband.

Wannipa Hamala, also known as Mod, 37, reportedly coordinated with the assassins through an online chat app in March to dispose of her spouse Phichit Kleepjinda, 44, over his alleged infidelity and domestic abuse.

The bungling contract killers carried out their plan and ambushed Phichit as he was returning home from a bar in Bangkok on April 8.

However, their target survived the barrage of bullets with only minor injuries and managed to file a report with the police.

Just eight days following the botched shooting, Phichit was mysteriously found dead after having dinner with Wannipa at the marital residence in Maha Sarakham on April 16.

Phichit's death certificate stated he allegedly died of 'natural causes' but his sister went to the police as she suspected foul play was involved.

Police Major General Noppasin Poolsawat, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said that cops, acting on a warrant issued by the Criminal Court, arrested Wannipa at a house in Bangkok on June 3, following an investigation into the case.

Two other people, identified by officers as the suspected hired killers Saroj Sueasuwan, 25, and Weerapat Sukonthasap, 25, were arrested at their homes also in Bangkok.

Cops said one more suspect, Natthaphon Sirinonrang, 25, was still on the loose.

Police Major General Noppasin said: 'It was found that before the incident, Mr Phichit, the deceased, had argued with Ms Wannipa several times and physically assaulted her, which was the motive for the attempted assassination.

'In late March 2024, Ms Wannipa began looking for a gunman to kill him. She began contacting Mr Nattapol, the gunman, and made an appointment to meet him on April 1.

'Ms Wannipa then wired an advance of 45,000 THB (960 GBP) to Mr Nattapol between April 1 to 7, then paid the rest of his fee of 300,000 THB (6,400 GBP) in cash. She also paid 33,000 THB (705 GBP) to Mr Saroj for procuring a motorcycle and firearm.'

Police citing the group chat messages said that Wannipa had lured her husband to the bar in Bangkok on April 8, constantly informing the assassins of his movements.

When that attack failed, she then reportedly instructed Phichit to return to their home in Maha Sarakham province for the Songkran holiday 'to discuss family matters'.

He arrived at the residence to have dinner and drink wine with his wife on April 15 but was found dead the following day.

Police confirmed Wannipa was the last person to see Phichit alive. His family claimed Wannipa was in a hurry to have his body cremated, and allegedly offered bribes to them to speed up the process.

Authorities said Wannipa was charged with hiring a hitman and conspiracy to murder, while the two men were charged with collusion to murder and illegal possession of firearms.

Wannipa has denied the accusations, but the two other suspects have testified against her.

Saroj claimed the wife had paid him 70,000 THB to find a gun, a gunman, and a motorcycle to use in the crime.

While Weerapat, who previously faced drug-related charges in 2016, said he received 4,000 THB to drive, though he claimed not to know about the assassination plot.

Police Major General Noppasin added: 'The wife insists on fighting in court, but we have found evidence to substantiate the charges against her. We also learned that she had no personal connection with the hitmen.

'Investigations are ongoing, and if we find more suspects related to this case, we will also be taking legal action against them.

'We have told the wife that she is better to admit the accusations, as the evidence against her is very strong.'