Crime ‘Uncle Pol’ Convicted of Murder, Sentence Raised to 26 Years

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

In a dramatic overturning of the lower court's decision, the Appeals Court on Wednesday sentenced Chaiyapol Wipha, famously known as "Uncle Pol," to 26 years in prison. He was found guilty of intentionally murdering his three-year-old niece-in-law, a case that had previously been ruled as accidental.

 

The Mukdahan Provincial Court, where the case unfolded, revealed the revised verdict in connection with the death of Orawan "Chompoo" Wongsricha. The incident occurred in Ban Kokkok village, Don Luang district, Mukdahan, back in May 2020.

 

Initially, in December 2023, Chaiyapol was sentenced to 20 years—split between causing death by accident and abducting a minor under 15. He had been acquitted of tampering with the body to thwart an autopsy. However, the Appeals Court charged him with intentional murder, abduction, and body tampering, increasing his sentence to 26 years.

 

Chaiyapol's wife, Somporn Larbpho, who is Chompoo's aunt, was acquitted of any involvement in tampering with the body.

 

The disappearance of little Chompoo shook the nation. She vanished from her home on 11 May 2020, and her body was discovered three days later, unclothed, in Phu Pha Yon National Park, approximately 1.5 kilometres from her residence.

 

The small village of Ban Kokkok became the focus of national attention. The provincial court trials began in June 2022 after a prolonged police investigation grappling with scant evidence and few witnesses.

 

The case fascinated the public, eclipsing even popular television dramas in viewership. Media coverage generated widespread sympathy for Chaiyapol, despite the victim's parents raising suspicions about his potential involvement, noting the family dog’s silence and the absence of Chompoo's cries during the alleged abduction.

 

Chaiyapol, known for his soft-spoken demeanour, consistently proclaimed his affection for Chompoo and denied any wrongdoing, which won him public support. Donations flowed in, transforming his humble abode into a mansion, and he briefly ascended to celebrity status, landing roles in modelling, singing, and acting.

 

However, as his prominence soared, discrepancies in his statements and behaviour started to emerge. This led some of his earlier supporters to distance themselves.

 

Chaiyapol's sentencing marks a significant conclusion to a case that has been under national scrutiny for years. While the Appeals Court's decision may bring a semblance of justice for Chompoo, it leaves behind a community grappling with the stark realities of a deeply unsettling case. The sentence delivers a strong message about accountability and justice, reverberating through the lives it has touched and beyond.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-08-13

 

[JoePai]

Why only 26 years ?

[Purdey]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

the family dog’s silence

Wasn't this the premise of the Sherlock Holmes story "Silver Blaze" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon?

The Thai police are well-read I must admit.

[novacova]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

discrepancies in his statements and behaviour started to emerge

Whether innocent or guilty, always a good idea to keep the mouth shut.