Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Rescue teams in Lopburi province are continuing a dangerous recovery operation after locating what is believed to be an ankle while searching for the body of a retired teacher dumped in a disused artesian well. The discovery, reported at 12.30 pm on 17 January 2026, has intensified efforts as conditions inside the well remain extremely hazardous for rescuers.

The case involves the alleged murder of two retired teachers, Ms Jiraporn Phuangmalai, also known as “Kru Lek”, aged 61 and her elder sister Ms Panomporn Phuangmalai, or “Kru Maem”, aged 64. Police say both women were killed by their nephew, Mr Kittik, aged 28, before their bodies were thrown into a disused well on a relative’s property in Moo 3, Phatthana Nikhom subdistrict, Phatthana Nikhom district, Lopburi.

On 15 January 2026, rescue workers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation descended into the well and recovered the body of Ms Panomporn, which was found floating and bloated. Ms Jiraporn’s body was believed to remain at the bottom of the well, based on the suspect’s confession to investigators.

Rescue personnel have described the well as approximately 18 metres deep and extremely narrow, allowing only one rescuer to descend at a time. Investigators allege the suspect ordered a six-wheel truck to dump nearly four cubic metres of crushed stone into the well to conceal the bodies, significantly complicating recovery efforts.

The operation has required specialist high-angle rescue equipment, including ropes, cranes, air fans and breathing apparatus. About 30 rescue workers have been rotating in shifts, with each able to remain inside the well for no more than 20 minutes due to limited oxygen and the presence of gases from decomposition.

Search efforts began at 11.00 am on 16 January and continued until 11.30 pm the same day, reducing the stone level by about two metres. After two days, the operation was temporarily halted due to exhaustion among rescue workers, although metal rods inserted into the remaining rubble released a strong odour consistent with a decomposing body.

On the third day of the operation, the Ruamkatanyu Foundation confirmed via social media that rescuers had detected an ankle beneath the remaining stone, along with a strong, pungent smell and bubbling sounds from below. Teams are now carefully excavating the final layers of rubble under close police supervision.

Amarin reported that police, led by Pol Lt Col Rattapong Nittayorawiwan, Deputy Investigation Superintendent of Phatthana Nikhom Police Station, have stated they remain confident the second body will be recovered if it is present as described by the suspect. Rescue operations are continuing with heightened safety measures.

Key Takeaways

• Rescuers have located an ankle while searching for a second victim in an 18-metre-deep well in Lopburi.

• One retired teacher’s body has been recovered, while the second is believed to remain under stone rubble.

• The operation involves high-risk conditions, including toxic gases and limited oxygen.

Original Story

Man-admits-killing-relatives-dumping-bodies-in-well

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2026-01-18

 

 

UPDATE

Body of Retired Teacher Recovered From Well in Lopburi

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Rescue workers in Lopburi have successfully recovered the body of a retired teacher, from a deep mud-filled well, bringing a critical phase of a brutal double-murder investigation to a close. The victim was one of two elderly sisters allegedly murdered by their nephew, with the bodies disposed of in a disused artesian well to conceal the crime. Authorities confirmed the recovery, allowing forensic procedures to proceed.

At approximately 22:00 on 17 January 2026, rescue personnel succeeded in bringing Kru Lek’s body to the surface. Investigators from Phatthana Nikhom Police Station and officers from the forensic science unit were present at the scene to conduct an initial post-mortem examination. The body was subsequently transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for a full autopsy, as part of the ongoing criminal investigation.

Police have stated that investigative efforts are continuing, particularly in relation to a six-wheel truck believed to have been used to fill the well after the killings. Investigators are attempting to trace a truck carrying crushed stone covered with a tarpaulin that reportedly travelled along the route on 5 January 2026. The suspect has told police that he hired a truck to deliver approximately five cubic metres of crushed stone to cover the well but claims he cannot remember where the truck was hired from.

Amarin reported that authorities have also indicated that they are not yet convinced the suspect acted alone. Police say further questioning and evidence gathering are underway to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the planning or execution of the crime. The investigation remains active as officers work to establish a complete timeline and identify all parties connected to the case.

Key Takeaways

• Rescue teams recovered the body of the retired teacher from a disused well on 17 January 2026.

• Police allege the victims were murdered by their 28-year-old nephew and disposed of in a remote area of Lopburi.

• Investigators are searching for a six-wheel truck linked to attempts to conceal the crime and have not ruled out additional suspects.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2026-01-18