The court has approved arrest warrants for two suspects in the murder of “Yai Juk,” the renowned loan shark of Nakhon Si Thammarat. Police have detained and interrogated them, but they continue to deny the charges, insisting they did not kill her. Meanwhile, police remain confident in the evidence and believe a conviction is certain.
In the case of the body of Mrs. Pranee Kongkun, aged 73, known as “Yai Juk,” the loan shark who was attacked and killed by at least two assailants along a concrete road in Village 5, Khuan Koei Subdistrict, Ron Phibun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. She suffered severe slash wounds on her head and arms. The incident occurred on the morning of 1 May 2026. Initial investigations suggest the assailants lured her to rob her and possibly to settle debts with certain borrowers. One suspect was brought in for questioning but denied involvement, as previously reported.
Today (5 May 2026), the investigative police team led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Pornchai Khajornklin, Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police and Acting Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police; Pol. Col. Natthawut Thongthip, Deputy Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police; Pol. Col. Theerawut Thepleuan, Chief of the Investigation Division, Nakhon Si Thammarat; Pol. Lt. Col. Sawat Niyomdecha, Deputy Chief of the Investigation Division; Pol. Col. Sunan Naknikam, Chief of Ron Phibun Police Station; Pol. Lt. Col. Wannachai Kachayont, Deputy Chief of Investigation; along with officers from Region 8 Investigation Unit, Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Investigation, and Ron Phibun Police Investigation Unit, gathered substantial evidence and requested the Thung Song Provincial Court to issue arrest warrants for two suspects. The court approved warrants for Mr. Charoenyut, 51, under warrant no. 158/2569 dated 5 May 2026, and Mr. Phonphon, 54, under warrant no. 159/2569 dated 5 May 2026, on charges of premeditated joint murder and robbery causing death by use of weapons.
Following this, the investigative team presented the arrest warrants and charged both Mr. Charoenyut and Mr. Phonphon, detaining them for questioning at Ron Phibun Police Station. During initial interrogations, both suspects denied all charges, asserting they did not kill Mrs. Pranee, known as “Yai Juk.”
Pol. Maj. Gen. Pornchai Khajornklin, Deputy Commander of Region 8 Police and Acting Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police, held a press conference immediately after the arrests. Although both suspects deny the charges, police are confident in multiple pieces of evidence, including forensic findings and CCTV footage, which firmly link the suspects to the crime. Authorities plan to continue investigations to determine if others were involved.
The motive for the killing is believed to stem from anger and resentment after “Yai Juk” allegedly tried to cause Mr. Phonphon to separate from his wife, provoking his wrath and threats. He then allegedly conspired with accomplices to murder “Yai Juk” and rob cash from her. The debt issue remains under investigation and has not been ruled out as a factor.
Mrs. Orawan, 53, elder sister of Mr. Charoenyut (nicknamed Pueng Aksornpiboon), one of the two suspects with issued arrest warrants, visited her brother after his arrest. She told reporters she firmly believes in his innocence, stating he was not involved in killing “Yai Juk” because he was not a debtor and never borrowed money from her. She called for justice for her brother.
Meanwhile, both Mr. Phonphon and Mr. Charoenyut, the suspects, maintain their innocence, asserting they did not kill “Yai Juk” and have no knowledge of who did. They continue to deny all allegations.
A key witness told police that on the evening before “Yai Juk”’s body was found, they saw both suspects walking near the crime scene, with one of them carrying a knife.
Relatives of “Yai Juk,” upon learning police issued arrest warrants for two suspects, were shocked, especially since one suspect, Mr. Noon, is an acquaintance. They noted that “Yai Juk” had offered help, money, and a place for selling goods. They urged police to pursue the case to its conclusion.
Ms. Krittiya, daughter of “Yai Juk,” revealed upon hearing the news of the suspects’ arrests that she believes the two suspects were close to each other. She said she did not know the motive and left it to the police to handle the case.