Thai Police Arrest Serial Killer

[george]

Update:

Serial killer arrested on brink of killing 6th victim

BURIRAM: -- Police in Thailand's northeastern province of Chaiyaphum yesterday captured a serial killer, as he was preparing to kill his sixth victim.

Mr. Somkid Phumphuang, 41, was arrested in a Chaiyaphum hotel, where he had taken a woman whom the police believe he intended to murder.

Over the past few months Mr. Somkid had committed a spate of murders across the country. All of his five murder victims were women, and all whom were masseuses.

The last murder was carried out on 21 June in an apartment block in the north-eastern Buriram Province.

Previously imprisoned for six months for perjury, Mr. Somkid was also known to have sent threatening letters to the opponents of the Rakathewa refuse tip in Samut Prakan Province on the outskirts of Bangkok.

He then came to police attention again in January this year, when he was suspected of a murder carried out in the north-eastern province of Mukdahan.

--TNA 2005-06-30

[Jimmy in Bangkok]

Update:

Serial killer arrested on brink of killing 6th victim 

BURIRAM: -- Police in Thailand's northeastern province of Chaiyaphum yesterday captured a serial killer, as he was preparing to kill his sixth victim.

Mr. Somkid Phumphuang, 41, was arrested in a Chaiyaphum hotel, where he had taken a woman whom the police believe he intended to murder.

Over the past few months Mr. Somkid had committed a spate of murders across the country. All of his five murder victims were women, and all whom were masseuses.

The last murder was carried out on 21 June in an apartment block in the north-eastern Buriram Province.

Previously imprisoned for six months for perjury, Mr. Somkid was also known to have sent threatening letters to the opponents of the Rakathewa refuse tip in Samut Prakan Province on the outskirts of Bangkok.

He then came to police attention again in January this year, when he was suspected of a murder carried out in the north-eastern province of Mukdahan.

--TNA 2005-06-30

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is all getting a bit confusing, firstly he's arrested at his wifes' place closely followed by an arrest at some womans' house he'd just met at a bus stop a couple of days beforehand and now he's arrested at a hotel preparing to murder his next victim?

At the end of the day though I suppose it doesn't really matter where he was arrested just as long as they caught the sick #**k. Well done to the local boys and I hope they fry the prick . it's one more person the world can do without.

[gburns57au]

now don't I just know I need to duck .............................but

The death penalty never solved anything. There is now NO civilised county in the world that still has the death penalty on its statutes.

I abhor this mans crimes (assuming eh IS guilty) as much as the next man but killing him is not an answer. The only countries still applying this kind of solution are neanderthal in he extreme with no respect from their civilised neighbours.

So the USA is uncivilised then ????

[gburns57au]

serial killer or not....that is not the point....

He has killed at least 4 people by his own admission.....he deserves the maximum under the law of the country.....I read he wanted death....let him rot in jail instead....or keep him inside till he dies by his own hand.....

total scumbag either way

[satu]

Thanks to the police. I like the thaipolice (often, not everytime)

[jomama]

First ever serial killer?  What about that guy See-Oui they have pickled at the Forensic Science Museum?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There's also Charles Sobhraj, who killed a few at Thai beaches in the '70s. Finally arrested and jailed in India and released. I think he's now living in Nepal.

[The Nemi]

Milk and cornflakes? No no , that cereal killing. Another topic under a similar name.

Have a Thai person explain the difference.

Thailands first serial killer? W.a.f.j.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOL

I think there is no standard set for no. of murders for the murder to be called a Serial Killer

Congratulations to the Thai Police....yeh he shud be hanged till dead.

[Scott]

This man seems to fit the profile of a serial killer. He seems to be psychopathic, without any remorse and has as an excuse, some insane reasoning. Let's also remember that so far the police only know/suspect 4 victims. This guy has traveled around. He may have killed many more than 4.

One of the difficulties with using the death penalty on cases like this is that these people need to be studied carefully. We really don't have a good handle on how their mind works and what causes this behavior. We also don't know if there is any way of identifying these people before there killing begins.

They do know that there are some very different physiological responses to stimuli from them and that there brain wave activity is quite different. Usually they are not insane.

Another problem with statements like "first" serial killer, (Oh, and there are some countries that say they have never had any serial killers) is that usually it is the lack of coordinated police work that it takes to uncover these guys. They travel alot and kill in different places. It takes time and coordination to put together all the murders. They exist pretty much everywhere.

[astral]

I doubt he is Thailand's first serial killer.

Just the first one the police have caught, which is a novelty in itself.

Are they really sure these girls did not commit suicide???

That is the usual assumption when a person dies.

[Dakhar]

In Somkid perverted mind, he was just doing his duty, fighting inflation.

I wonder if he really wants to get the dealth penalty, of if he wants to live, thus he tells everyone he wants to die. Ofcourse the natural knee jerk response would be to do the opposite of what he requests. An enigma the situation is. I say just kill the guy, why waste tax dollars on such scum?

[astral]

First ever serial killer?  What about that guy See-Oui they have pickled at the Forensic Science Museum?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

There's also Charles Sobhraj, who killed a few at Thai beaches in the '70s. Finally arrested and jailed in India and released. I think he's now living in Nepal.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And Sobhraj just walked out of Thai police custody...............................

Edited June 30, 2005 by astral

[thaibebop]

serial killer or not....that is not the point....

He has killed at least 4 people by his own admission.....he deserves the maximum under the law of the country.....I read he wanted death....let him rot in jail instead....or keep him inside till he dies by his own hand.....

total scumbag either way

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why not make him suffer a little bit.

Thank you Zander.

[pokerintheano]

Sounds like more like robery and murder.

Doesn't quite sound like serial killer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why?...isn`t four victims enough?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you read between the lines here, you will understand. What the police found were 4 victims drowned in a bathtub full of milk and covered with cornflakes. It only took 4 murders to figure this out, whereas in the US it usually only takes 1 such event to determine the MO of the perp.

Otis

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Milk and cornflakes.....You must be the only person reading this topic who finds it remotely humerous and you are obviously talking a load of c`rap.

Troll methinks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[DaveYo]

Just wondered if he left serial numbers to indicate his tally count???? Killing 4 people is not serial to the best of my knowledge. Killing 20 or 30 or more is serial in that sense. Legit killings are never counted anyway.

Daveyo

[pokerintheano]

Sounds like more like robery and murder.

Doesn't quite sound like serial killer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Why?...isn`t four victims enough?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you read between the lines here, you will understand. What the police found were 4 victims drowned in a bathtub full of milk and covered with cornflakes. It only took 4 murders to figure this out, whereas in the US it usually only takes 1 such event to determine the MO of the perp.

Otis

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Milk and cornflakes.....You must be the only person reading this topic who finds it remotely humerous and you are obviously talking a load of c`rap.

Troll methinks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[DaveYo]

Well he must have been saying it for some time """Polly wanna cracker"""""" but was ignored so he must have decided milk and cornflakes cause he got denied his breakfast.

So obviously he must have been sitting in cow dung since no chickie wanted to be near his wickie. Yuk

Daveyo

[jrincon17]

1st ever, or just the 1st one they could catch?

It doesn't seem to me that forensic science is widely used in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

1st ever , what about all the politicians ?

[spencerdharmagrafix]

newsclip on this topic (translated from Thai Rath News)

I translated this clipping from last week in Thai rath newspaper (Thai language edition).I shall be offering my translated news to this section of thaivisa.com soon.

Edited June 30, 2005 by spencerdharmagrafix

[george]

Update:

Confessed serial killer on re-enactment trip

BANGKOK: -- Accused serial killer Somkid Pumpuang, who has confessed to murdering four sex workers, is on a three-day trip to re-enact his crimes.

He continues to deny involvement in a fifth murder in Trang, while police suspect him of also killing another masseuse in Chiang Mai.

The Trang native, 41 was arrested on Wednesday and confessed to having murdered the four women.

The Criminal Court yesterday renewed his police detention and he was returned to Crime Suppression Division headquarters for further interrogation.

He was later taken to re-enact his liaison with Sompong Pimpornpirom, 36, a masseuse at New Hatthavej massage parlour in Nakhon Ratchasima. She travelled with him to Buri Ram where she was murdered at Piya Mansion on June 21.

A police source said the police team would spend about three days taking Mr Somkid to Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Mukdahan and Udon Thani for re-enactments. He would then be taken to Nitijittavej Hospital for psychiatric examination, to determine if he is mentally competent, and then to Lampang for another re-enactment.

CSD commander Pol Maj-Gen Vinai Thongsong said Mr Somkid would later be taken to Trang, where witnesses have pointed to him as the suspect in the June 11 murder of a masseuse at a Trang hotel. Police allege they also have evidence of phone calls he made.

On his way to Nakhon Ratchasima yesterday, the suspect reportedly complained to his police escorts: ``I want to kill the reporters because I feel annoyed.'' He refused to answer reporters' questions.

According to police, Mr Somkid tried hard to confuse investigators by changing topics throughout Wednesday night's questioning. He sometimes implicated other people in the crimes, but failed to give further details about them.

Police confirmed Mr Somkid was the same person who had lied to police that he witnessed the 2001 murder of Yasothon governor Preena Leepattanapan. He had asked police to pay for sex with prostitutes in return, but they had refused. He had also sent a letter to the family of murdered activist Suwat Wongpiyasathit lying that he had some clues about the killing.

Chiang Mai police yesterday provided CSD police with information about the June 13 murder of Sumalee Suwannaphap, 40, a masseuse, at Kasemwadee dormitory in downtown Chiang Mai. Investigations were continuing.

The suspect's state-sponsored lawyer Worapong Klansupa said his client was still adamant he was innocent of the murder in Trang, but police had strong evidence against him. It was possible he denied involvement for fear of trouble with relatives in his hometown.

--Bangkok Post 2005-07-01

[Dakhar]

""""The suspect's state-sponsored lawyer Worapong Klansupa said his client was still adamant he was innocent of the murder in Trang, but police had strong evidence against him. It was possible he denied involvement for fear of trouble with relatives in his hometown."""

Ummm, I don't think he is got to worry about the folks in his home town. I don't think he will be going home ever.

[george]

Smiling serial killer forced to re-enact his alleged crimes

While re-enacting the way he had allegedly murdered his victims in Buri Ram and Mukdahan yesterday, a confessed serial killer showed little remorse.

Somkid Phumpuang, 41, has been charged with murdering and robbing five sex workers, five of whom he has confessed to killing. Police suspect he may have killed a sixth woman as well.

Accompanied by about 100 police officers, the suspect appeared in a good mood, clearly basking in the attention he was getting. He was even smiling as he re-enacted how he had allegedly strangled Sompong Pimpornpirom, who was 36, in her sleep in a Buri Ram flat.

He showed no emotion even when onlookers hurled abuse and death threats at him. Police officers formed a human cordon around the scene to prevent any chance for a lynching by the furious locals.

Somkid told police he had strangled Sompong on June 21, then took her gold necklace, gold ring and cell phone. He fled Buri Ram by train.

Yesterday afternoon, Somkid was escorted to a crime scene in Mukdahan. He would later re-enact two murders in nearby provinces.

“I want to draw his blood! He doesn’t deserve to live,” a friend of one of his victims told reporters.

--The Nation 2005-07-02

[Sturbuc]

now don't I just know I need to duck .............................but

The death penalty never solved anything. There is now NO civilised county in the world that still has the death penalty on its statutes.

I abhor this mans crimes (assuming eh IS guilty) as much as the next man but killing him is not an answer. The only countries still applying this kind of solution are neanderthal in he extreme with no respect from their civilised neighbours.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So please decide:

NO CIVILISED COUNTRY = USA = back to the roots (e.g. homo erectus)?

Huuuuh who gave them the atomic bombs?

[greenwanderer108]

Next thing you know, the police will have evidence proving Somkid was responsible for 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 murders all over the country.

Somkid is obviously guility for something but I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't responsible for all these murders.

Just like in the See Oui case back in the 50's, the Thai police framed/tricked him in to admitting/confessing to more murders than he possibly/physically could have commited across the country.

It's pretty typical of local authorities. Most of the time, they're hanging around at cafes/coffee shops doing nothing. Then when they ever do make a bust, they make sure all the cameras/media are there filming so it looks like they've been doing their job all along.

Before everyone goes off to praise the good work of the boys in brown, perhaps we should assess the situation fully. Even if Somkid will never be on the streets to kill again, and there is another murderer(s) still on the streets, what good is this?

[sabaijai]

First ever serial killer?  What about that guy See-Oui they have pickled at the Forensic Science Museum?

Right, See-Oui was the first serial killer identified as such in Thailand. So the policeman who made the statement was wrong. There's even a Thai movie out about See-Oui.

[greenwanderer108]

First ever serial killer?  What about that guy See-Oui they have pickled at the Forensic Science Museum?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Right, See-Oui was the first serial killer identified as such in Thailand. So the policeman who made the statement was wrong. There's even a Thai movie out about See-Oui.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

BS!! If seriel killers are defined by the murdering of multiple persons in a short amount of time, there have been seriel killers as long as there have been humans on this continent. Sure seriel killer isn't a Thai word...In the past, the Thais called them 'jone' which simply refers to as bandits. These jone in the forests committed countless murders and rapes in short times, this just happens to be before investigations and western language exposure to be defined as seriel killers.

Actually the point of the recent movie See-Oui was to show the objective perspective of the situation, that See-Oui was defamed and framed to take responsibility for more murders than can be proved linked to him. Actually, it is possible that See Oui only committed two or three murders, and thus may not qualify as a seriel killer. Anyhow, the police promised to release him back to China if he would confess to all unsolved kid murders in the country at that time to appease the raging populations. He hung (or was shot) can't remember

[thaibebop]

A serial killer is someone with a specific M.O. Yes they have to kill more than one person but if the killings are the same and the killer has no established relationship with the victim, than the killer is most likely a serial killer.