Woman Robbed & Killed in Chiang Rai Forest

A 63-year-old woman was found murdered in a community forest in Mae Chan district, Chiang Rai, with police investigating the case as a suspected robbery killing. Gold jewellery weighing two salung and around 2,000 baht in cash were reported missing from the victim after her body was discovered late on 28 May.

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Police from Mae Chan Police Station, led by Pol Col Kiatisak Jitprasarn and Pol Lt Col Somkid Kham-uea, responded to reports from villagers who found a body in a forested area near Ban Pa Pao village in tambon Mae Kham. Officers, forensic investigators and rescue workers travelled to the scene, located deep inside a community forest near a natural stream and rocky area.

The victim, identified as Mrs Buakhiao, 63, from Ban Pa Pao village, was found lying in a pool of blood with severe head wounds believed to have been caused by a sharp weapon. Initial examinations found multiple deep injuries to both the front and back of her head, with police saying she died at the scene from heavy blood loss.

Investigators said relatives confirmed the victim regularly wore a gold necklace weighing two salung and carried a cloth waist bag containing around 2,000 baht in cash. However, both the necklace and the money bag were missing when officers searched the body and surrounding area.

Police recovered mushroom-gathering equipment near the body, including a pointed knife still inside its sheath. The items were photographed and collected for forensic examination, including fingerprint analysis.

Witnesses told investigators that Mrs Buakhiao left her home at around midday on 28 May to gather wild mushrooms in the community forest for cooking and sale. Concern grew after she failed to return home by nightfall, before another villager searching the forest found her body near the stream and alerted local authorities.

Police said the investigation is focusing primarily on robbery as the motive for the killing. Detectives have been ordered to gather evidence from the scene and investigate suspicious individuals or outsiders seen in the forest area during the time of the attack.

Naewna reported that the body has been sent for a full post-mortem examination at a forensic institute to confirm the exact cause of death. Police said efforts are continuing to identify and arrest the suspect responsible for the killing, which has caused fear among residents in the local community.

Pictures courtesy of Naewna

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Naewna 30 May 2026