Crime Hunt Underway in Chiang Rai as Suspected Double Murderer Remains at Large, Village in Fear

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

 

Authorities in Chiang Rai province are continuing an intensive search for a man suspected of killing his wife and her younger brother, as fear grips the local community and most villagers flee their homes.

 

The suspect, identified as Mr. Songpor Saemua, 55, a resident of Romfapha Mon village in Tambon Por, Wiang Kaen District, is accused of brutally murdering his wife and her brother before fleeing into the surrounding forest. The killings took place on 9 June and since then Songpor has been on the run, believed to be armed and dangerous.

 

Police from the Chiang Rai Provincial Command, Wiang Kaen Police Station, paramilitary rangers from Task Force 31, border patrol officers, local defence volunteers and community leaders have joined forces in the search operation. Authorities suspect the fugitive is still hiding in the dense jungle surrounding the village.

 

The situation escalated after reports emerged that the suspect had threatened to kill his wife’s entire family. This has sparked widespread panic in the village. As of 10 June, only 23 of the original 400+ residents remain in Romfapha Mon. Most have fled to stay with relatives in neighbouring communities.

 

Due to safety concerns, the local child development centre, which serves 14 young children, has been closed. The order came from Mr. Naraset Kamalasgamut, chief of the Tambon Por Administrative Organisation, who visited the area to assess the situation.

 

“After the incident, I immediately ordered the temporary closure of the Romfapha Mon Child Development Centre to protect the children and staff,” said Mr. Naraset. “No children have returned to school since the attack. The centre will remain closed until the suspect is apprehended and the situation is deemed safe.”

 

The search effort has been hampered by poor weather conditions. Heavy rainfall has made the mountainous terrain treacherously slippery, while dense forest and leeches pose additional challenges. Authorities have deployed drones equipped with thermal imaging to help locate the suspect.

 

In a further sign of the community’s distress, the family of Mr. Chanchai Yangworakul, 44, the brother of the suspect’s wife and a local councillor, have postponed funeral rites in line with local customs until the suspect is caught and justice is served.

 

Mr. Chanchai had served multiple terms as a member of the Tambon Por Administrative Organisation and was regarded as a dedicated and respected local leader. His murder has deeply shaken the community and caused further loss of morale among residents.

 

“This is the murder of a community leader,” said Mr. Naraset. “It has left a psychological scar and has directly affected our local council. The people are frightened. We urge the authorities to find the suspect swiftly.”

 

The manhunt continues amid mounting pressure to restore safety and confidence in the once-peaceful village.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-06-11

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Double Murder Suspect Captured After Five-Day Forest Manhunt in Chiang Rai

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 55-year-old man accused of brutally murdering his ex-wife and her younger brother has been captured after a five-day manhunt in the mountainous Thai–Lao border region. The suspect, identified only as Mr Songpor, was arrested in the evening of 13 June after emerging from the forest in search of food.

 

Mr Songpor had been the subject of an intense manhunt since 8 June, when he allegedly killed his former wife and her brother at a residence in Ban Pang Kha, located in Por Subdistrict, Wiang Kaen District, Chiang Rai Province. He then fled into the forested hills along the Thai–Lao border.

 

The capture took place around 20:30, at a house in Ban Tab Tao, Thoeng District. Weakened by hunger, Mr Songpor reportedly approached the home of a local resident to ask for food. The homeowner recognised him from media reports and immediately alerted authorities.

 

A joint operation involving Wiang Kaen Police Station, Region 5 SWAT, Special Weapons Unit Yak Khratch 49, Thoeng District Administration, Border Patrol Police and Ranger Unit 3105 was swiftly deployed to the scene. Officers arrested Mr Songpor without resistance under an arrest warrant issued by Thoeng Provincial Court (warrant no. 95/2568) on charges of premeditated murder.

 

Police suspect that the fugitive may have received assistance during his time on the run and have announced plans to expand the investigation to determine whether others were involved in aiding his escape.

 

Mr Songpor is now in custody and will face prosecution in accordance with the law. The case has shocked the local community due to its violent nature and the involvement of a domestic relationship turned deadly.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-15