Phetchabun: Forest Dispute Ends in Triple Fatality

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

A bitter land dispute in Phetchabun Province has ended in tragedy, with three people dead in what police believe was a murder-suicide driven by revenge.

At approximately 09:15 on the morning of 15 June, local rescue volunteers from the Rom Pho Foundation were alerted to a suspected murder in Moo 8, Ban Tok subdistrict. Upon arrival, they discovered the lifeless body of a 69-year-old woman, identified as Mrs. Wandee, known locally as “Aeow”. She had suffered fatal knife wounds to the neck and was found lying in a pool of blood beside the road near Wat Sa Kae Ngam.

Mrs. Wandee was a former caretaker of wild boars and looked after a bear named “Kaew”, which had previously injured a person in an unrelated incident.

Following the initial discovery, authorities were informed of two further deaths in the forested hills behind the village. The second victim, Mr. Yutth, 78, known locally as “Pa Khao”, was found dead from similar knife wounds at his hillside garden.

The third body, located roughly 500 metres from Pa Khao, was identified as the suspected attacker, Mr. Chaliao, 64. He was discovered hanged, with police believing he had taken his own life after the killings.

According to initial inquiries with local residents, the motive may have stemmed from a longstanding dispute over illegal forest clearance. Mr. Chaliao was reportedly angry at Mrs. Wandee for reporting his alleged forest encroachment to the authorities, which led to legal action being taken against him.It is believed that he attacked her in retaliation. 

Mr. Yutth is believed to have encountered the suspect by chance, as he was escaping into the forest and was fatally attacked as a result.

Police from Mueang Phetchabun Station and forensic staff from Phetchabun Hospital are continuing their investigation to determine the full sequence of events and confirm the motive behind the killings.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-16