Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A man who had been reported missing by his family for over a week, has now become the prime suspect in the murder of a 66-year-old local man, in a bizarre and chilling case that has shocked the Mae Sariang district, Mae Hong Son.

 

Police discovered the body of Mr Dike, 66, in a stream near Ban Mae Kong Kha, a village in Tambon Mae Yuam, Mae Sariang District. The victim had suffered seven shotgun pellet wounds to the chest and right shoulder. He was found kneeling forward, wearing a blue sports shirt and short jeans. A single shotgun shell casing was recovered approximately 15 metres from the scene.

 

 

The suspected killer, identified as 37-year-old Mr Yutthana, had been the subject of a missing persons report for over ten days. According to police, he allegedly confessed the killing in an eerie and surreal encounter shortly after the crime.

 

Mrs Ja-Sor, the victim’s wife, told police that on the morning of 23 April, her husband Mr Dike and a companion, Mr Kamol, had gone into the forest in search of forest products. Around 06:30, she heard multiple gunshots. A short while later, Mr Yutthana appeared at her hut, calmly asked for a cup of coffee, and told her that he had shot her husband. After drinking the coffee, he disappeared without revealing his destination.

 

Mrs Ja-Sor later found her husband’s lifeless body in the stream, bleeding and unresponsive. She instructed her daughter and grandchildren to flee the hut and report the incident to nearby park rangers at Sala 5, part of Salawin National Park. This led to the alerting of local authorities and the launch of a manhunt for the suspect.

 

District Chief Mr Warasak Phanthong held an emergency meeting to coordinate the search and ensure the safety of villagers in the area. A security operation was launched involving more than 50 personnel, including local administrators, members of the district volunteer force, soldiers from Ranger Battalion 36, police from Tha Ta Fang station, and local village leaders. Patrols and checkpoints have been established until the suspect is captured.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-04-25.

 

 

 

 

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A short while later, Mr Yutthana appeared at her hut, calmly asked for a cup of coffee, and told her that he had shot her husband. After drinking the coffee, he disappeared without revealing his destination.

 

Damn.  That's cold.

They must have all known each other because otherwise he (Yutthana) would not have known he had killed the woman's husband. If you are from another area you are not aware who is husband and wife unless you have been stalking or making previous in depth enquiries.