Man Kills Village Shaman with Machete over Black Magic Fears

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

A brutal murder has shocked a remote village in Tak, after a man suffering hallucinations allegedly killed a local shaman he believed had cursed his young nephew. The suspect reportedly attacked the 62-year-old victim with a machete, inflicting more than 20 wounds, before dragging the body to a nearby stream and concealing it with banana trees and leaves.

Police from Tha Song Yang station in Tak province were alerted after villagers discovered the body in a stream approximately 50 metres behind the victim’s house in Moo 3, Mae Tan subdistrict. Rescue workers from Phetkasem Foundation and forensic officials arrived at the scene to find the body of a local man, covered with foliage in an apparent attempt to hide the crime.

The deceased had deep lacerations to his forehead, head, and body, consistent with a frenzied machete attack. Villagers told investigators that the victim had last been seen drinking alcohol with 49-year-old Mr. Pharnulee, a fellow resident and friend.

A manhunt was launched, and officers located Mr. Pharnulee in a neighbouring village 3 kilometres away, where he had reportedly fled and was seen asking locals for food. He was taken into custody for questioning.

According to police, Mr. Pharnulee confessed to the killing. He claimed that while drinking with the victim, he became convinced the man, who was known locally as a shaman, had cast a black magic spell that caused the recent death of his one-year-old nephew. In a paranoid and delusional state, he attacked his friend with a machete in a fit of rage.

Police Colonel Supoj Nawarattanarom, Superintendent of Tha Song Yang Police Station, confirmed that Mr. Pharnulee is a known methamphetamine user and was undergoing treatment for addiction. Investigators believe his hallucinations were caused by drug withdrawal, which led to the deadly misunderstanding.

Mr. Pharnulee is facing multiple charges including murder and concealment of a corpse. Legal proceedings are underway.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-18.