Police officers have taken custody of Second Lieutenant Phumeth, known as "Art," the suspect in the abduction and murder of a young manager, after Lao police transferred him back to Thailand to face charges.
On 13 Mar 2026 at 13:30, Pol. Maj. Gen. Chotiwat Luangwilai, Commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau's Investigation Division, Pol. Maj. Gen. Kiattikun Sontinern, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 2, Pol. Col. Saksit Boonserm, Commander of the Investigation Unit in Nong Khai Province, under the direction of Pol. Maj. Gen. Phairat Pukcharoen, Commander of Immigration Division 4, Pol. Col. Nopadol Rakchat, Commander of Nong Khai Immigration Police, Pol. Lt. Col. Thiyachapat Rangsipramanakul, Deputy Commander of Nong Khai Immigration Police, Pol. Lt. Col. Apichat Klatha, Officer of Nong Khai Immigration Police, together with officers from Nong Khai Immigration, traveled from the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge Border Checkpoint 1 in Mueang Nong Khai District to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Border Checkpoint 1 in Vientiane, Lao PDR, to receive custody of Second Lieutenant Phumeth Ngersrichai, or Art, 48 years old, from security officials of Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.
Second Lieutenant Phumeth is wanted under arrest warrant No. 1416/2569 issued on 10 Mar 2026 by the Criminal Court, charged with instigating others to commit offenses and jointly committing premeditated murder, unlawfully damaging, moving, destroying, devaluing or rendering parts of a corpse useless, secretly burying, concealing, moving or destroying a corpse or parts thereof to conceal the cause of death, extortion, gang activities, coercing others by threats of harm to life, body, liberty, reputation or property to act or refrain from acting, with five or more people involved, unlawful detention or deprivation of liberty, and robbery causing death using a vehicle to commit the offense or escape arrest.
The case involves the abduction and murder of Mr. Ruth Maneepasert, or "Top," a company manager importing and distributing medical equipment. The court approved arrest warrants for eight suspects involved in abducting the victim, charged with coercion and unlawful detention. Seven suspects were arrested previously. It was reported that Second Lieutenant Phumeth fled across the border into Laos, where security officials in Vientiane captured and coordinated his return to Thailand.
The investigation team, along with a security detail, escorted Second Lieutenant Phumeth to Sutthisan Police Station for further interrogation and to proceed with legal action.