Kan Jomphalang helped an 18-year-old youth who was ambushed and assaulted by a gang of teenagers, then carried into the back of a pickup truck and abandoned by the roadside. The victim feigned death to survive, then walked to seek help from villagers who took him to the hospital. So far, three suspects have been arrested, with one still on the run.
On 6 Mar 2026 GMT+7, reporters reported that Mr. Kanthas Phongpaiboonwech, known as “Kan Jomphalang,” accompanied Ms. Wichyada, 41, the guardian, and Mr. Thawatchai, 18, the son, to meet Pol. Maj. Gen. Pramot Ngampradit, Commander of Rayong Provincial Police, and Pol. Lt. Col. Jennarong Lakornram, Investigating Officer of Mueang Rayong Police Station, in the meeting room at Mueang Rayong Police Station. They followed up on the case progress after the son was assaulted by a group of teenagers who then stuffed him into the trunk of a car and threw him along the road up Khao Yai Da. Fortunately, he feigned death and survived. The incident occurred on the Tapong-Ban Chaklao road, Tapong Subdistrict, Mueang Rayong District, at 03:00 on 3 Mar. Kan Jomphalang and police later visited the crime scene.
Mr. Thawatchai revealed that before the incident, he acted as a mediator to resolve a dispute between two groups of friends. After making peace, one of the friends from the group of perpetrators offered to ride a motorcycle to take him home. Upon reaching the scene, they found a branch blocking the road, so he got off to remove it. At that moment, teenagers hiding nearby attacked him with sticks until he lost consciousness. The perpetrators then carried him into the trunk of a car, took him to a spot along Khao Yai Da road, and covered his body with branches and leaves. Pretending to be dead, he fooled the attackers who fled. He then walked to seek help from villagers until he found a nun who took him to Rayong Hospital. His guardian filed a police report at Mueang Rayong Police Station and sought Kan Jomphalang’s help to follow up on the case, fearing injustice.
Pol. Lt. Col. Jennarong Lakornram, Investigating Officer at Mueang Rayong Police Station, disclosed that they have taken initial statements from the car owner used in the crime and identified four suspects living in Tapong Subdistrict. The Rayong Provincial Court has approved arrest warrants for charges including "joint robbery, joint assault, joint unlawful detention, and joint attempted murder."
Latest reports indicate that among the four suspects, one minor aged 16 was brought to surrender by his guardian but denies involvement, claiming he only rode the motorcycle to take someone home. Two others, named Niu and Prem, were arrested after fleeing to Ratchaburi Province. The fourth suspect, To, aged 16, remains at large.
Kan Jomphalang stated that he has communicated with the Commander of Rayong Provincial Police and the investigation team, confident that all suspects will be apprehended. He frequently visits Rayong and praised the police for solving many cases. He urged the public to immediately report if they see this group of teenagers, describing them as dangerous individuals who brazenly blocked the road with sticks to assault the victim before dumping him, believing he was dead, by the roadside. Police have issued warrants on four serious charges.