The timeline of the death order in the abduction, murder, and burning of a young medical equipment company manager has been revealed. The gang leader, 'Second Lieutenant,' accepted the job for a 300,000 baht fee. The gang split into teams to burn and conceal the body. He is believed to have fled to Laos, with authorities currently intensifying their pursuit and expecting to capture him soon.
On the morning of 4 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Police Major General Kiattikun Sonthiener, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, spoke about the case involving the gang abducting and killing the medical equipment company manager. Police are awaiting forensic confirmation to verify if the deceased is indeed Mr. Rut. Initial findings suggest it is the same person, but official confirmation is pending.
Regarding the investigation, police have obtained arrest warrants for eight suspects on charges including coercion and unlawful detention. Seven have been arrested, and one remains at large.
Initially, the first abduction team of six men took Mr. Rut on the morning of 18 Feb 2026 GMT+7 to a rented house in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province, where their involvement ended. This group claimed to have only met Phumeth. Then, a second abduction team took over, with an uncertain number of members but definitely including Phumeth. It is believed that the second team killed Mr. Rut in Samut Prakan on 19 Feb. Forensic police collected evidence, including bloodstains, at the rented house, but found no signs of burning. Investigations are ongoing to track where the second team moved Mr. Rut’s body afterward.
Information indicates that Mr. Rut’s body was transported by vehicle to Nakhon Sawan Province, then to Phetchabun Province, before being found charred in an abandoned house in Chai Badan District, Lopburi Province. At the scene, a blindfold, gag, hands bound behind the back, and a shroud covering the body were found.
The investigation team has also summoned the victim’s relatives and a woman appearing in a video clip for further statements. They confirmed questioning covered all aspects, including business, benefits, and personal relationships.
Police have expanded the investigation beyond the initial eight suspects, identifying three additional accomplices. The eighth suspect, Phumeth, who accepted the contract, has been traced moving between Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai Provinces. He is believed to have fled across the border into Laos. Two suspects, Phaothong and Weerawit, were released on bail set at 20,000 baht each. Should evidence confirm their involvement in the victim’s death, additional charges will be filed. The gang reportedly received 300,000 baht for the abduction, with Phumeth demanding the victim’s phone as evidence for an extra 50,000 baht. Police have yet to recover this crucial phone.
Reports list the eight suspects charged in the case as follows:
1. Second Lieutenant Weerawit, also known as Khwan Pitakthap, 43, a bodyguard by profession, driving a white Toyota Fortuner with license plate 2ขภ 1239 Bangkok.
2. Mr. Phaothong, also known as Aum Thongwilai, 36, found in a grey-black Toyota Fortuner with license plate 9293 Suphanburi.
3. Mr. Apisit, or Porn Nu-ngamkhem, 25, in the same vehicle as above.
4. Mr. Pongsit, or Pae Molipan, 30, driving the grey-black Toyota Fortuner with license plate 9293 Suphanburi.
5. Mr. Jakpan, or Jay Somsret, 25, carrying Mr. Rut’s file folder.
6. Mr. Boonphat, or Santi Chumnum, 25, riding a motorcycle involved in a rear-end collision.
7. Mr. Sitthichok, or Back Chok Rattanakeeree, 29, in the grey-black vehicle. These seven have been arrested and remanded to the Criminal Court.
The remaining suspect is Second Lieutenant Phumeth, also known as Art Ngernseechai, 48.
According to reports, the gang operated professionally. They lured the victim to a shrimp fishing pond. While he was driving to turn into the pond, Mr. Boonphat rear-ended his vehicle to force him to stop. They negotiated damages in the pond’s parking lot where five gang members were in a grey-black Toyota Fortuner. Three then exited, dragged the victim from his car, and put him into their waiting vehicle. Mr. Boonphat acted as a lookout. They then drove the victim to a rented house in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan, where Second Lieutenant Phumeth awaited alone. Afterwards, each team dispersed. Phumeth interrogated and assaulted the victim to death, then transported the body in a bronze-grey Toyota Vios toward Si Thep District, Phetchabun Province, where his girlfriend lived. En route, they stopped to buy a hoe and shovel at an agricultural supply store intending to bury the body, but found it too complicated and instead burned it at the site in Chai Badan District, Lopburi. The tools were left at the girlfriend’s house in Si Thep. Phumeth then fled toward Nong Khai Province and crossed the border into Laos. Authorities are currently pursuing him and expect to capture him soon.
The motive for the murder reportedly involves a woman with whom the victim had a secret relationship. They had a 9-year-old child together, though she was separated from her husband. The husband had grown suspicious over the past 5-6 months, suspecting the victim’s involvement. During their affair, the woman recorded video clips. Knowing the victim was wealthy and engaged to marry another woman on 7 Mar 2026, she intended to use the clips for blackmail. However, her husband discovered the videos first, which fueled his anger and ultimately led to the tragic events reversing the situation.