Udonthani City Police have arrested "Young J," known as the "Udonthani Demon," a rapper famous for the 11 million-view song "Repetition," after he and accomplices attacked a rival's home with gunfire. The suspect claims he retaliated after a bomb was thrown at him and admits to feeling stressed. He faces attempted murder charges. The Udonthani police chief highlighted the dangerous misconception among rappers that prison time will make them more famous.
At 11:30 a.m. on 16 June 2026, at the Udonthani City Police investigative unit, Police Colonel Patthanawong Janphon, Chief of Udonthani City Police, along with Deputy Chief of Investigation Police Lieutenant Colonel Pichet Pakkethat, and Investigation Police Sergeant Bantheng Thapyotha, held a press conference announcing the arrest of Mr. TJ Robert, also known as Young J, 22, an Udonthani rapper; Mr. Nattawut Namwiset, 22, from Bangkok; and Mr. Popeye, 16, from Udonthani.
They were apprehended with evidence including a modified blank gun. They face charges of premeditated attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, carrying firearms in public without justification, reckless use of explosives, and illegal drug use. The arrests took place at a hotel in the Udonthani municipality.
On 13 June 2026 at 9:15 p.m., Investigation Officer Adulchai Khaokham of Udonthani City Police received a report from Mr. Thanakorn Maneeson, 22, from Nong Bua Lamphu province, stating that Mr. TJ Robert, aka Young J, the rapper known for "Repetition" with 11 million views and "Phu Pan" with 2.8 million views, along with two others, came on motorcycles to his rental room on Nam Khem Alley, Thahan Road, Udonthani municipality.
Young J got off the motorcycle and shouted the name "Ohm" multiple times, trying to get him to open the door, but he refused. Popeye, sitting in front of the rental room, pointed a gun and fired once into the room, the bullet lodged in the wall. The three then fled on motorcycles. CCTV footage at the rental is evidence, and Young J posted a video of the incident on social media.
Police Colonel Patthanawong Janphon said that after receiving the report, he ordered Deputy Chief of Investigation Lieutenant Colonel Pichet Pakkethat to lead officers in investigating. They found that Young J and his group were hiding on the first floor of a well-known hotel in Udonthani municipality. When police arrested Young J, rap music was playing loudly in his room.
Also seized were the modified blank gun, a .380 caliber bullet lodged in the wall, a blue Honda motorcycle without license plates, and the clothing worn during the incident: a red jacket and black pants. All suspects were taken to the police station for questioning.
During interrogation, Young J, who appeared intoxicated throughout, confessed to inviting Nattawut and Popeye to attack Mr. Ohm. He said he is a rapper and a friend of Ohm, with whom he attended the same high school and shared an interest in rap music and songwriting.
However, in November 2025, they parted ways because Ohm was displeased that Young J was more popular and upset over Young J's relationship with Ohm's ex-girlfriend in front of friends, who then told Ohm, leading to their breakup. Later, Ohm allegedly threw a bomb at Young J, but it failed to explode. Young J's mother did not report the incident to police.
Young J continued that he harbored resentment and bought a gun from an acquaintance for 22,000 baht. On the evening of 13 June, he invited friends to ride a motorcycle three-up to Ohm's rental home. Popeye was given the gun and aimed at the front of the room while Young J called out to Ohm to come out. When Ohm did not respond, Popeye fired once into the wall, but the second shot jammed. They then fled. Ohm had his mother report the incident, but according to rapper code, reporting to police is forbidden and considered betrayal.
Young J then performed "Repetition," the song with 11 million views that he wrote, live for the police. Afterwards, Young J and Nattawut were taken to reenact the crime scene at the rental room on Nam Khem Alley, Thahan Road, Udonthani municipality. During the reenactment, Young J appeared paranoid, accusing Thanakorn of coming out to take photos and report to police. Before the reenactment, police placed Thanakorn at his sister's nearby home about 10 meters away and stationed officers at the door. The reenactment lasted about 20 minutes before the suspects were taken back to the station for legal proceedings.
Young J said that at first he was not stressed during arrest because he did not fire the gun himself but owned it. Now, he admits feeling stressed due to the attempted murder charge. He refuses to apologize to Ohm, claiming Ohm threw the bomb first. He also admitted to previous violent incidents involving a knife in Nong Khai province; his mother took him for psychiatric treatment at Nong Khai Hospital, and that case was resolved. He holds a psychiatric patient card.
Thanakorn, or Ohm, the victim, said they attended lower secondary school together and wrote rap songs as a team. Later, he left to write with another group, which angered Young J. Young J often posted provocations on social media and indeed became involved with Ohm's ex-girlfriend, though Ohm was no longer involved with her. Ohm said Young J tried to provoke him, and he was not upset as Young J acts without reason. Young J accused Ohm of bullying his songs, and vice versa. Ohm said he feels relieved that police have arrested Young J and will let justice take its course.
Police Colonel Patthanawong Janphon said that initially, Young J, a Thai-British rapper, admitted to prior arrests during violent incidents in Nong Khai province and that his mother took him for treatment at Nong Khai Hospital. Investigations revealed Young J used various drugs, including MDMA, methamphetamine, marijuana, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory and fever medications, and inhaled nitrous oxide via balloon to enhance songwriting mood while recording videos. Urine tests at Udonthani Hospital found no methamphetamine, but samples were sent to the Medical Science Center for further drug screening. Young J holds a dangerous misconception that rappers become famous after prison time. The police chief warned youth not to use such substances as they harm the nervous system.