Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Five suspects, including a district officer and a local administrative official, have been arrested over the alleged abduction and killing of a 49-year-old man in Surat Thani province. The case has caused widespread concern due to the alleged involvement of state officials and the seriousness of the charges, which include murder, enforced disappearance and concealment of a body.

 

Arrests were made on 29 December, under warrants issued by Chaiya Provincial Court for Mr Weerayut Sangkool, 44, a district officer in Tha Chana, Mr Weerachai Khanphet, 38, an assistant village headman, and three other men aged between 27 and 36. All five face multiple charges, including homicide, unlawful detention resulting in death, night-time trespass using force and concealing or moving a body to obstruct a post-mortem examination.

 

The case began after Ms Narakmon Choochan, 22, appealed publicly for help to locate her father, Mr Songpol Thararak, who went missing on the night of 26 December. According to the family, Mr Songpol was taken from his home in Tha Chana district by a group of men travelling in a car and reportedly carrying firearms, after he was suspected of stealing a valuable Buddha amulet.

 

Relatives were later told that Mr Songpol had been released in Samo Thong subdistrict, but he could not be contacted and a missing person report was filed with Tha Chana police. Despite initial questioning of the suspects, no progress was reported at the time, while searches continued until his body was discovered buried in a rubbish pit behind the home of the assistant village headman.

 

Police said the body showed signs of assault, including bruising and head injuries and it was sent to Surat Thani Hospital for a full post-mortem examination. During lengthy questioning lasting more than 10 hours, one suspect reportedly confessed, stating that the group had been drinking alcohol before confronting Mr Songpol and that he died after being beaten during an attempt to extract a confession.

 

Pol Col Paisan Sangthep, Deputy Commander of Surat Thani Provincial Police, confirmed that investigators have also charged the suspects under the Enforced Disappearance Act 2022 and for official misconduct, as some are state officials. Police have up to 30 days to complete the investigation before forwarding the case to the National Anti-Corruption Commission for further legal proceedings.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Arrest have been made of five suspects, including local officials, over the alleged abduction and killing of Mr Songpol Thararak.

• The victim disappeared on 26 December and was later found buried behind a suspect’s home in Tha Chana district.

• Police are pursuing murder, enforced disappearance and misconduct charges, with the case to be referred to the NACC.

 

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 Adapted by Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-30

 

 

Arrests were made on 29 December, under warrants issued by Chaiya Provincial Court for Mr Weerayut Sangkool, 44, a district officer in Tha Chana, Mr Weerachai Khanphet, 38, an assistant village headman, and three other men aged between 27 and 36. All five face multiple charges, including homicide, unlawful detention resulting in death, night-time trespass using force and concealing or moving a body to obstruct a post-mortem examination.

Officers behaving badly.... good they got caught

4 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Arrests were made on 29 December, under warrants issued by Chaiya Provincial Court for Mr Weerayut Sangkool, 44, a district officer in Tha Chana, Mr Weerachai Khanphet, 38, an assistant village headman, and three other men aged between 27 and 36. All five face multiple charges, including homicide, unlawful detention resulting in death, night-time trespass using force and concealing or moving a body to obstruct a post-mortem examination.

Officers behaving badly.... good they got caught

But the million dollar question is, quite literally: how much money do they have and how connected are they? Because we all know that if they have enough money and/or know (or are related to) the right people, chances are that they’re going to walk. Or be given bail and then they will just disappear.

Bad guys out