Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A fugitive wanted for murder in Thailand, along with 10 other Thai nationals, has been deported from Laos following their arrest for drug-related offences in Savannakhet Province, officials confirmed.

 

Among those returned is Jakrapong “Joe” Joomkham, who had previously been granted bail after being charged with the intentional killing of Chertsak Ngsri, a nightclub security chief in Kantharalak district, Sisaket Province, on 18 January. Joe fled across the Mekong River into Laos after the incident.

 

Authorities from Thailand’s Surasak Montri Task Force, led by Maj Gen Sukontharat Chawapong, along with senior military and police officials, crossed the Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge from Mukdahan to Savannakhet on 23 May to receive the suspects at the border checkpoint.

The extradition is part of ongoing bilateral cooperation under the Thai-Lao Security Agreement. On the Lao side, the handover was facilitated by Lt Col Kaew-Udon Sonthikumman of Savannakhet’s Internal Security Division, and Lt Col Sikun Samlanchai of the Anti-Narcotics Police, alongside immigration officers.

 

Jakrapong, despite being on bail for a serious criminal charge, had crossed into Laos with accomplices and was found partying and using drugs, disturbing local communities by playing loud music. Lao authorities arrested the group, prosecuted them, and subsequently deported them after they served short sentences or were fined.

 

Of the 11 Thai nationals deported, nine are men and two are women. Ten come from Sisaket Province and one from Chonburi. Two face outstanding drug warrants, while one, Jakrapong, faces charges of murder and firearms violations. Those without outstanding warrants were medically screened and had their criminal records updated before being processed through immigration.

 

The case highlights the challenges in managing transboundary crime and the importance of international cooperation in law enforcement within the Mekong subregion.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-05-25.

 

 

 

On 5/25/2025 at 4:38 AM, Georgealbert said:

Jakrapong, despite being on bail for a serious criminal charge, had crossed into Laos

"Despite being on bail"?

The Thai justice system grants bail to perps with murder charges and then have the nerve to act surprised when they flee...

This not only facilitates fleeing, it encourages more crime.

But they know that.

So, I am curious as to the actual motivation behind this bail practice for serious crimes, is it just the greed of raking in the bail money?

4 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

So, I am curious as to the actual motivation behind this bail practice for serious crimes, is it just the greed of raking in the bail money?

I think you nailed it. There would be no other reason to do something so stupid. Somebody wanted to keep the bail money - and didn't care that a murderer was allowed to escape.

 

And speaking of stupid, how stupid can a murderer be to get involved in drug parties while he is on the run from a murder charge? If it had been me, I would have gone out of my way to spend the rest of my life keeping a low profile.

I remember this happened not too far away earlier this year. Thais can evaporate into Laos easily ,seeing the Isaan language is very close, along with the look and habits. Funny how it's usually a drug offense when people get caught as fugitives for other crimes, like speeding while smuggling drugs in vehicles. ..........................Beat me to it Bangkokhank.