Crime Labour Dispute Turns Deadly as Worker Kills Employer, Hides Body in Chiang Mai Forest

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

A murder in the remote highlands of Mae Chaem district, Chiang Mai has shocked the local community, after a worker allegedly killed his employer over unpaid wages, hid the body in a forest and fled with the victim’s motorbike and mobile phone.

 

Police were alerted to the incident on 27 June when Pol. Lt. Padungsak Chaiyo, an investigative officer from Mae Chaem Police Station, received a report of a suspicious death in the mountainous farming area of Ban Mae Satop Tai, Moo 3, Mae Suek Subdistrict.

 

Due to the isolated location, a joint investigative team including police detectives and a forensic doctor from Theparat Wechayanukul Hospital had to trek several hours on foot to reach the scene.

 

Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Mr. Boonchuay aged 57, lying near his hillside plantation. Evidence at the scene suggested he had been struck on the forehead with a blunt object. A piece of firewood, suspected to be the murder weapon was found near the body.

 

According to Pol. Col. Statichai Nitiyawan, superintendent of Mae Chaem Police Station, Mr. Boonchuay had gone to work on his remote farm around 09:00 on 26 June. When his son, Mr. Songsuk, 32, was unable to contact him by the afternoon of 27 June, he travelled to the plantation and discovered his father’s lifeless body.

 

Investigators suspect that a dispute over unpaid wages was the motive behind the attack. Two Karen workers, who had recently been employed by Mr. Boonchuay, are now missing. They are believed to have fled the scene with the victim’s red Honda Wave motorcycle, registration number from Chiang Mai and his mobile phone.

 

Preliminary autopsy results confirm that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. The body has been transported to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital’s Forensic Department for further examination.

 

Police have launched a manhunt for the two suspects and collected evidence from the scene, including photographs and topographical details, to build a stronger case.

 

Authorities have vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and are urging anyone with information on the whereabouts of the suspects to come forward.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-06-29

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Karen Refugee Arrested for Employer’s Murder in Chiang Mai

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

Authorities have arrested a Karen refugee suspected of brutally murdering his employer in a remote mountain village in Chiang Mai province, while a second suspect remains at large.

 

The incident took place in the evening of 27 June at a farm located in Ban Mae Satop Tai, Village 3, Mae Suek subdistrict, Mae Chaem district. Police from Mae Chaem Police Station responded to a report of a fatal assault and discovered the lifeless body of 57-year-old Mr. Boonchuay at the scene. A blood-stained log, believed to be the murder weapon, was found nearby.

 

Investigators noted that several of the victim’s belongings were missing, including a red-black Honda Wave motorcycle and a Revo-brand mobile phone. Initial findings pointed to two Karen labourers employed by the victim, both of whom had disappeared from the area following the crime.

 

On 28 June, officials from Sop Moei district in Mae Hong Son province were contacted by Mae Chaem police to assist in locating the suspects, who were believed to be refugees from armed conflict residing in the temporary shelter at Ban Mae La Oon.

 

Authorities identified the two suspects as Mr. Saw Se Pho 21, and Mr. Jaw Kalalay. The pair had allegedly left the shelter illegally to seek employment in agriculture and were working in the Mae Chaem area at the time of the murder.

 

At 12:10 on 28 June, a joint operation involving local security forces, district officials, and police led to the arrest of Mr. Saw Se Pho, who was found hiding inside a shelter at the Mae La Oon temporary refugee camp. He was taken into custody without incident.

 

The second suspect, Mr. Jaw Kalalay, reportedly fled the area and is believed to be heading toward Fang district in Chiang Mai. Authorities have launched a manhunt and are coordinating with agencies in surrounding provinces to locate and apprehend him.

 

District Chief Kamphan Mokthaisong of Sop Moei has ordered continued collaboration with Mae Chaem authorities and local security units to prevent further breaches of refugee shelter regulations and to ensure justice for the victim and his family.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-06-30

 

 

 

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
Karen Refugee Suspected in Chiang Mai Murder Apprehended