Rubber Plantation Guard Arrested After 18 years on The Run

Picture courtesy of Thaitabloid 

Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) officers have arrested a 63-year-old former rubber plantation guard in Nakhon Si Thammarat, ending more than 18 years on the run for the attempted murder of his former employer in Krabi. The suspect, identified in the warrant as Mr Jit, was detained at a roadside rotisserie chicken stall next to a PTT petrol station in Moo 3, Prik subdistrict, Thung Yai district. Police confirmed the arrest under a 2007 Krabi Provincial Court warrant for attempted murder and firearms offences.

The case dates back to 2006 when the suspect, then employed as a guard at the victim’s rubber plantation in Krabi, was abruptly dismissed. Police said an argument followed, after which Mr Jit allegedly planned to shoot the plantation owner. On the day of the attack, he and his son-in-law reportedly devised a ruse, pretending the son-in-law was jealous over his wife, to distract the victim before the shooting took place.

The son-in-law later confessed and served his sentence, but Mr Jit was released on temporary bail of 300,000 baht and subsequently vanished, failing to appear in court. He fled in 2006 and assumed a new identity as “Mr Sangwian,” avoiding all official records, including national ID registration and medical treatment. The Krabi Provincial Court issued warrant 217/2550 on 15 November 2007 after he absconded.

CIB and Marine Police investigators traced him to the Thung Yai area following new leads. An undercover officer approached him pretending to buy roasted chicken and engaged him in conversation to confirm his identity, comparing his appearance with two-decade-old ID photos. When questioned, the suspect initially insisted he was “Mr Sangwian” but later admitted he was the fugitive named in the warrant.

Thaitabloid reported that police presented the outstanding warrant for attempted murder, firearms offences and absconding from court, before transferring him to Krabi Marine Police for processing. He was then handed over to Krabi Provincial Court for further legal proceedings. During questioning, he reportedly said he had avoided all official activity since 2006 out of fear of being tracked down.

Key Takeaways

• CIB officers arrested a fugitive rubber plantation guard after more than 18 years in hiding.

• The suspect had assumed a new identity and avoided all government documentation since 2006.

• He now faces renewed proceedings on attempted murder, firearms charges, and failure to appear in court.

 Adapted by Asean Now from Thaitabloid 2025-12-12