Crime Nationwide Manhunt for Plantation Murder Gang Intensifies as Police Close in on Suspects

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Authorities have launched a major manhunt for four fugitives wanted in connection with a gruesome quadruple murder in a palm oil plantation in Trang province. The killings, described by police as a “nang yang” (tyre-burning) execution, have shocked the nation with their brutality.

 

The crime occurred on the night of 11 May in Moo 1, Kalase subdistrict, Sikao district. The charred remains of three employees from Piyakankarn 199 Co. Ltd., including plantation manager Surachet Luangkiatkajorn, were found in a water trench. A fourth, yet unidentified body, was located nearby. Police say the victims were shot, held for ransom and then burned using vehicle tyres in a calculated and horrific act.

Arrest warrants have been issued for four suspects:

 

• Supakorn Rakwiwat, 37, alias “Bin”, a known hitman with six previous major charges including five for murder;

• Jaranachai Samathi, 32, alias “Taem”, from Nam Phut;

• Piyasak Suwanmanee, 33, alias “Jack”, from Kalase; and

• Rapeepan Boonkerd, 36, alias “Tueak”, from Boh Hin.

 

According to investigators, the suspects attempted to steal palm fruits from the 170-rai plantation. When confronted by the manager and staff, they allegedly opened fire and demanded a 40,000-baht ransom, which was transferred to the wife of suspect “Jack”. The victims were then taken to a remote 36-rai plot overseen by “Bin”, where they were shot again. Some were reportedly still alive when they were dragged to a water channel and set on fire with stacked tyres.

 

The suspects then loaded the stolen palm fruits into a grey Isuzu D-Max pickup truck and sold them. That vehicle was later discovered parked behind the home of suspect “Taem”’s father, in a remote area between Mueang and Huai Yot districts. However, the suspect had fled before police arrived.

In the latest developments, armed police forces, including the elite Sri Trang SWAT unit, have surrounded the Bandon mountain range in Nam Phut subdistrict, where it is believed the suspects are hiding. The area, part of the Khao Pu–Khao Ya National Park, is known to the fugitives, particularly “Taem”, who previously lived there. Police have been distributing wanted posters and urging locals to report sightings via the emergency number 191.

 

Local officials confirmed the manhunt has focused on around 27 forest huts (known as khnams), often used by rubber plantation workers. Officers believe the suspects may be using these as hideouts, supported by the challenging terrain and dense forest, which covers over 2,000 rai.

 

Village headman Sawat Khunnui, 58, from Ban Khao Lak in Moo 7, confirmed that “Taem” was originally from the area and had worked as a school van driver before relocating to Sikao with his wife. He expressed shock at “Taem”’s alleged involvement, describing him as previously mild-mannered. He appealed for the suspect to surrender peacefully.

 

Despite the scale of the operation, local villagers have remained calm. Many are familiar with conflict, having lived through past unrest when the area was a former communist stronghold.

 

Police have stated clearly that if the fugitives resist arrest, officers have orders to shoot. However, operations will proceed gradually, escalating only if necessary. Intelligence suggests all four suspects are armed.

 

Deputy Commander of Region 9 Police, Pol Col Sakda Charoenkul, has also led simultaneous raids on five properties connected to the suspects, including the home of a former Trang defence volunteer believed to have links to “Bin”. Though no direct evidence has yet been found, police remain determined to bring the suspects to justice and warn that any individuals found to be harbouring them will face legal consequences.

 

The investigation continues to unfold with intensity, as authorities seek to bring closure to one of the most disturbing multiple murder cases in recent memory.

 

Related article:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1360408-manhunt-underway-after-3-victims-burnt-in-trang-tyre-fire-killing/

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-15.

 

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Trang Quadruple Murder Case: Victim’s Vehicle Found Dumped in Canal

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Police in Trang province have uncovered a major lead in the ongoing investigation into the brutal murder and burning of four victims in what is believed to be a gang-related crime. The pickup truck belonging to one of the victims has been recovered from a canal, where it had been abandoned in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.

 

On 11 May, the charred remains of four individuals were discovered in a palm oil plantation in Moo 1, Kalase subdistrict, Sikao district, Trang province. The victims were allegedly murdered and subjected to a gruesome burning method known locally as nang yang. Authorities have since issued arrest warrants for four suspects: Supakorn Rakwiwat, also known as “Bin Khuan Kun”, 37; Jaranchai Samathi, 32; Piyasak Suwanmanee, 33; and Rapeepan Boonkua, 36. All remain at large.

 

On 15 May at around 17:30, Pol. Col. Ekkerat Suansan, Deputy Commander of Trang Provincial Police, was informed that the suspects had abandoned a silver Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck, the property of 69-year-old Surachet Luankiatkajorn, the caretaker of the plantation and one of the murder victims, in a water diversion canal in Na To Ming subdistrict, Mueang Trang district, in front of the Chulabhorn Dam floodgate.

 

CCTV footage from the area shows the stolen pickup truck turning off onto a service road along the irrigation canal, following a lead vehicle driven by Jaranchai, one of the wanted men. Another camera later captured only one vehicle leaving the area, raising suspicions.

 

Officers inspecting the opposite bank, behind Chulabhorn Rajabhat College in Trang, found disturbed grass and soil at the canal’s edge, along with oil slicks on the water surface. Divers from the Kusonsathan Trang Foundation were dispatched and located the submerged vehicle after a 20-minute search.

 

The truck was recovered and found to still have its ignition key in place. Both the front and rear licence plates had been removed by the perpetrators. No other physical evidence or personal items were discovered inside the vehicle.

 

Authorities believe the vehicle was deliberately submerged to hinder the investigation and destroy forensic evidence. The manhunt for the four suspects is ongoing, with police urging anyone with information to come forward.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-16.

 

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Two Suspects Arrested in Brutal Murder and Burning of Four at Trang Palm Plantation

 

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

Police have apprehended one of the primary suspects in a gruesome quadruple murder case involving the execution and burning of a palm plantation manager and three employees in Trang province.

 

The suspect, 37-year-old Supakorn, also known as “Bin Khuan Kun”, was taken into custody during the early hours of 16 May, following intense manhunt operations. Authorities report that Bin was found hiding in an oil palm plantation in Kalase subdistrict, Sikao district, where the horrific killings had occurred on 11 May.

 

Police had issued arrest warrants for four individuals in connection with the crime:

 

• Supakorn (Bin Khuan Kun), 37

• Charonchai (Taem), 32

• Piyasak (Jack), 33

• Raphiphan (Thueak), 36

 

Authorities revealed that Bin, believed to be the ringleader, had initially attempted to negotiate terms for a voluntary surrender through relatives, including requests for bail. However, police firmly rejected any conditions. When investigators identified Bin’s hideout, they swiftly launched a tactical operation and arrested him without resistance. Police believe the suspect feared being shot during the arrest and therefore surrendered peacefully.

 

He was transferred to Kok Yang Police Station in Kantang district for interrogation, where he later confessed to all charges under intense questioning by Pol Col Ekkarat Suansaen, Deputy Commander of Trang Provincial Police.

 

Meanwhile, another suspect, 32-year-old Charonchai, was also captured the previous night in Wang Wiset district. His arrest followed close surveillance after police detected movement in the area. He remains in custody at Wang Wiset Police Station.

 

The remaining two suspects, Piyasak, who is alleged to have been the gunman, and Raphiphan, are still at large. Police operations to apprehend them are ongoing, and authorities have made it clear that they are prepared to use deadly force if necessary during the arrests.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-16.

 

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Fourth Body Linked to ‘Bin’ as He Confesses to Killing Teenager in Trang Palm Plantation

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

A chilling twist has emerged in the Trang palm plantation murder case as “Bin”, the ringleader of a group already accused of three gruesome killings, has confessed to a fourth murder, that of a teenager he claims was stealing palm fruit.

 

The man, identified as Mr Supakorn Rakwiwat, known by his alias Bin, 37, was apprehended by police on the morning of 16 May. He is believed to have led a gang responsible for the execution-style killings and burning of three men, including the plantation manager, Mr Surachet Luankiatkajorn, 69, widely known as Ko Chet, along with his two subordinates, Mr Anan Tochanok (Ko Piak), 49, and Mr Weerayut Tannula, 41.

 

Their charred remains were found in a makeshift incineration site in the middle of an oil palm plantation in Si Kao District, Trang Province. However, the discovery of a fourth body, partially buried and burned in a nearby area, prompted further investigation.

 

Following intense interrogation, Bin admitted to shooting and killing the unidentified teenager, claiming the boy was caught stealing palm fruit from the plantation he was hired to protect. He alleged that the landowner had authorised him to “deal with” any trespassers as he saw fit.

 

Bin claimed that he confronted the youth, saw him stealing and shot him dead on the spot. He then attempted to cover up the crime by burning and burying the body at the rear of the plantation managed by Ko Chet.

 

Police are currently working to identify the victim, cross-referencing missing persons reports. Bin told officers that the boy had long hair, but further forensic analysis is underway to determine the teenager’s identity.

 

Following his confession, police escorted Bin back to his holding cell. When reporters attempted to ask whether he wished to apologise to the victims’ families or confirm his direct role in the teenager’s murder, Bin remained silent.

 

Investigations are ongoing.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-05-16.