Two Myanmar Nationals Found Shot Dead Near Ratchaburi Border

[Georgealbert]

 

 

In the early hours of November 14, police in Suan Phueng, Ratchaburi, responded to reports of two bodies discovered on a dirt road near the Thai-Myanmar border. Pol. Capt. Chaiwat Purintraphiban led officers from the Suan Phueng Police Station to the scene near Pong Song Ko village, where they found the victims, both Myanmar nationals, shot dead.

 

The first victim, identified as Aung San Win, 43, from Myanmar and a worker in Samut Sakhon, was found with gunshot wounds to his abdomen and head. His body showed signs of struggle, with injuries to his right hand. Near his body, authorities found a 9mm bullet casing, a mobile phone, and some cash, along with identification and a driver’s license.

 

Approximately 300 metres away, the second victim, named Saw Saw, was found in a nearby thicket. He suffered a gunshot wound to the back of his head, and there were signs of a struggle, with bloodstains and scattered sandals near the scene. Two more 9mm bullet casings were found nearby.

 

Assistant village headwoman Narumon Kaewjamsri commented that the secluded road is a dead-end accessible only by car to the crime scene, with further travel possible only by motorcycle. She speculated that the assailants likely knew the area well. Neither of the victims was known to locals, suggesting they were likely from outside the Suan Phueng area.

 

The investigation revealed that relatives had attempted to contact the victims, who left Samut Sakhon around 20:30 on November 13 with four others in two vehicles. Surveillance footage captured them leaving their neighbourhood before communication ceased. Police answered a call from one of the victims’ phones, notifying family members of the deaths.

 

Following these leads, Suan Phueng Police Chief Pol. Col. Amnuay Denweha ordered investigators to trace the suspects using CCTV footage. Authorities believe that they may soon identify the suspects and make progress in solving this case.

 

Picture from responders.

-- 2024-11-15

 

[Georgealbert]

 

Gunman Arrested in Double Murder of Myanmar Nationals by Thai Border

 

 

Authorities have arrested a gunman suspected of killing two Myanmar nationals and abandoning their bodies on a roadside, in what police believe was a robbery attempt.

 

Following extensive examination of surveillance footage along the route from Samut Sakhon, the area where the victims resided, police identified the two vehicles used in the incident.

 

The victims, traveling in a group of six Myanmar nationals split between two vehicles, were found dead early this morning at approximately 04:30 on a dirt road near Pong Song Kao village, Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi Province.

 

Police traced the vehicles as they headed toward Tak Province and successfully intercepted them. All passengers, including the suspects, were detained, and the police investigation team from Suan Phueng is en route to bring them back for questioning.

 

Mr. Aung San Min, 40, brother of one of the deceased, Aung San Win, arrived at Suan Phueng Police Station to identify his brother’s body.

 

He recounted that he had received a call from his sister-in-law late at night, worried that his brother had not returned from a trip with friends and was unreachable.

 

Using his brother’s phone tracking location, he determined he was in Suan Phueng, and upon calling, a police officer answered, confirming the tragedy.

 

Mr. Min and his family expressed shock and suspicion, especially as one of their brother’s companions had survived, while his brother and another friend had been shot.

 

The surviving Myanmar national, Mr. Agarn, who required translation assistance from another Myanmar friend, recounted that he and his late friend Aung San Win had been hired by three Myanmar individuals, including the suspects, to transport them to Ratchaburi for 1,000 baht upfront, with an additional 4,000 baht promised upon arrival.

 

Though initially led to believe they would be transporting goods, they had taken two trucks from Samut Sakhon on November 13 around 20:00 with each victim driving separately.

 

Upon arrival in Ratchaburi, the victim’s truck led, followed at a distance by Mr. Agarn’s truck.

 

When the convoy reached a curve, the suspects in Mr. Win’s truck reportedly asked him to stop. Shortly after, Mr. Agarn heard two gunshots, which one of the suspects claimed were directed at animals.

 

The assailants then threatened Mr. Agarn with a knife, forcing him to surrender his valuables, including a gold necklace, a smartphone, and his bank app withdrawal codes with an approximate balance of 100,000 baht.

 

Stripped of his belongings, Mr. Agarn was ordered out of the truck and pushed into a shallow ravine with some water.

 

Disoriented and scared, he ran through the darkness in search of help but faced difficulty due to language barriers.

 

Eventually, he took refuge in a nearby temple where, come morning, he met a fellow Myanmar national who helped him contact his wife.

 

Mr. Agarn expressed anger and confusion over the violent robbery, questioning why a vehicle could not have been stolen without resorting to murder.

The suspects are now in police custody in Mae Sot, Tak Province, and will face formal charges as the investigation continues.

 

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

-- 2024-11-15