The suspect who ambushed and killed a female Grade 12 student in Uthai Thani has been arrested. He admitted to monitoring the victim on social media and lurking nearby for several days. He claimed he did not have a crush on her but acted on a sudden impulse. He was found to have been recently released from prison less than a year ago for a rape case.
On 13 June 2026, authorities reported progress in the shocking case in Uthai Thani province where a female Grade 12 student was ambushed and fatally attacked while riding her motorcycle to school around 06:30 on 12 June 2026. Police intensified their manhunt after finding a motorcycle dragged and hidden in the roadside bushes.Read the news: Manhunt for Scout Team Member Who Brutally Killed Female Grade 12 Student, Stabbing Her While She Rode to School)
Later that same day at 18:30, police officers, village defense volunteers, and local security forces searched the crime scene along the Boyang-Nong Takian Road, Village 11, Ban Nong Silim, Boyang Subdistrict, Sawang Arom District, Uthai Thani. Over 50 personnel inspected Ban Nong Chum Het, Ban Nong Silim, and Ban Nong Takian for clues. Villagers provided tips about a suspicious man whose strange behavior made them suspect he could be the perpetrator.
Subsequently, Mr. Paitoon Ketsanet, the village headman of Pong Keng, and his assistants went to the home of Mr. Samphan, 35, nicknamed "Eang," in Village 11, Ban Kong Keng, Taluk Du Subdistrict, Thap Than District, Uthai Thani. Mr. Samphan confessed to Mr. Paitoon and police that he did not know the Grade 12 student personally but had been viewing her Facebook profile. He denied having a crush on her. He said his motive was a momentary impulse. He recalled discarding the knife used about one kilometer from the crime scene. At the time, he wore khaki shorts and a Buriram football team shirt.
Before the attack, he had wandered through the forest and admitted to killing the Grade 12 girl at the scene. He also stated that he had gone out at 3 a.m. on previous days to observe her. He monitored her Facebook to confirm she regularly passed the crime location, then ambushed and killed her. He claimed he intended to rape her, but she fought back, causing defensive wounds on her hands.
Mr. Samphan was taken for interrogation at Taluk Du Police Station, Thap Than District, since he was caught in the Taluk Du area. Later, he was to be transferred to Sawang Arom Police Station in Sawang Arom District, where the crime occurred.
At 20:00, police brought Mr. Samphan's father to speak with reporters. He said his son did not tell him anything after the incident. He recognized the red shoes his son wore from photos shared in the village LINE group, known as "Nai Ting's" shoes, which his son was wearing. That morning, his son said he had gone out for noodles and had a scraped knee, claiming his motorcycle had fallen. He admitted his son suffers from mental illness and refuses to take prescribed medication. He was unaware of his son's prior rape conviction.
Meanwhile, over 100 villagers gathered at Sawang Arom Police Station to witness Mr. Samphan's interrogation. When asked, they said they wanted to see the face of the person responsible for the girl’s fatal attack. They expressed strong anger because the victim was a hardworking Grade 12 student who helped her father on days off to earn money for school and supported her family.
Police Major General Worawat Mali, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 6 and Acting Commander of Uthai Thani Provincial Police, stated they are quite confident that Mr. Samphan committed the crime. He confessed during arrest and interrogation at Taluk Du Police Station. Blood was found on the motorcycle key, which is evidence under investigation. The suspect will be further questioned at Sawang Arom Police Station to expedite case preparation for court. It is uncertain whether a reenactment will be conducted, depending on the suspect's willingness and concerns about possible mob violence, as local residents are fearful and highly concerned about the case.
On 13 June 2026, authorities expect to have sufficient evidence and urged villagers to trust the police, who are working to resolve the case quickly.
At approximately 21:30, police brought Mr. Samphan for questioning at Sawang Arom Police Station. When reporters asked about his motive for killing the Grade 12 girl, he remained silent. As he entered the station, villagers shouted curses at him. Local officials deployed security forces, including village defense volunteers and paramilitary units, to protect the suspect from potential attacks.
It was found that the suspect had been released from prison about seven months ago. He previously served sentences for rape and theft offenses.