The Metropolitan Police Chief expects to issue four more arrest warrants this week for the "Art" team involved in the kidnapping, murder, and body burning of "Manager Top." "Acting Sub-Lieutenant Phumeth," the team's leader, has been detained and remanded at the Criminal Court.
In the case where a group of criminals kidnapped and murdered Mr. Ruth, or Top, aged 46, manager of a company importing and selling medical equipment, on 18 Feb, CCTV footage at a shrimp pond parking lot on Ratchada 18 showed the staged kidnapping of Mr. Ruth from the pond heading toward Samut Prakan Province. On 3 Mar, investigators tracked down and found Mr. Ruth's body, burned to skeletal remains in the bathroom of an abandoned house in Lopburi Province, as previously reported.
At 12:00 on 16 Mar 2026 at the Metropolitan Police Headquarters, Pol. Lt. Gen. Siam Boonsom, Chief of Metropolitan Police, revealed that the Suthisan Police Station knows all suspects in the case. They have arrested "Phumeth Ngernseechai," or "Art," wanted by the Criminal Court for burning and concealing the victim's body. They are now gathering evidence to request arrest warrants for four more accomplices, expected to be completed within this week.
Regarding other related evidence, "Phumeth," or "Art," called four people to help kidnap and conceal the body, coordinating with Mr. Sarawit, the mastermind. Details are withheld. However, authorities are examining if these individuals have additional criminal involvement. If so, further charges will be filed. Investigators have sufficient witness evidence to press additional charges against the detained suspects and are not concerned despite not having further interrogations yet.
When asked if the four suspects remain in the country, it is believed they are still within Thailand. Those wanting to avoid arrest are urged to surrender promptly. Authorities want to apprehend them first before assessing their connections. Whether they surrender or not is their decision, but the police will continue gathering evidence and prosecuting all involved.
Regarding how the murder was committed, the victim was with all eight suspects at the location during the relevant time, excluding Mr. Sarawit. Who exactly committed which act will be determined by reviewing the evidence.
At 13:00 at the Criminal Court, investigators from Suthisan Police Station brought "Acting Sub-Lieutenant Phumeth Ngernseechai," suspect in the kidnapping and murder of Mr. Ruth Maneepasert, manager of the medical equipment import company, for initial remand hearing.
The case details state that on 19 Feb, Mr. Ruth Maneepasert reported being unable to contact Mr. Ruth. Investigation revealed that on 18 Feb 2026 at 06:20, six assailants forced the victim to a rented house in Samut Prakan, restraining him to prevent resistance, and took two phones and passwords. Two other assailants gave orders. They then jointly killed Mr. Ruth, disposed of, and burned the body in Chai Badan District, Lopburi Province.
Investigators requested arrest warrants for eight suspects: 1. Mr. Jakraphan or Je Somsret, 2. Mr. Pongsit or Pae Malipan, 3. Mr. Apisit or Pond Noongamkhem, 4. Mr. Sitthichok or Black Chokraratnakiri, 5. Mr. Phaothong or Aum Tongwilai, 6. Mr. Boonphat or Santi Chumnum as suspects 1-6 for participation, and 7. Mr. Weerawit or Kwan Phitakthap, 8. Mr. Phumeth or Art Ngernseechai as suspects for instigating others to commit offenses.
Further investigation found Mr. Sarawit Ratpitakthiratha as the mastermind who hired others to commit the crime, and Ms. Benya Ratpitak hired someone to gather information and track the kidnapped victim, enabling other suspects to execute the kidnapping, which led to the death and burning of the body. Both were arrested and remanded.
Later, investigators canceled and reissued the warrant for Mr. Phumeth. Officials arrested him at the Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai Province. He faces charges of instigating others to commit crimes, joint premeditated murder, illegal disposal and concealment of the body, involvement in organized crime, coercion, unlawful detention, robbery causing death, and using a vehicle to facilitate crime or escape, under multiple sections of the Penal Code.
During the investigation, the suspect confessed to all charges.
Investigators have interviewed witnesses but still need to question seven more. The suspect’s 48-hour detention expires on 16 Mar 2026. Due to necessity, a 12-day remand request was made, from 16 Mar to 27 Mar 2026.
Investigators opposed bail, citing multiple offenses in various locations with ongoing evidence collection involving witnesses, physical and documentary evidence proving the suspect’s guilt. Given the serious charges and public interest, bail could risk witness intimidation, evidence tampering, or obstruction of justice.
The court approved the remand. Subsequently, Mr. Phumeth submitted bail, which is under consideration by the Criminal Court.