Police have expanded their investigation and arrested a gang involved in the abduction and murder of a tattooed man who was handcuffed and shot dead in a forest in Saraburi. A former soldier with the rank of Air Force Sergeant Major was among the suspects. They were taken for a crime reenactment and are scheduled for detention tomorrow.
On 19 June 2026, the body of a man with a dragon tattoo covering his chest and inscriptions reading “Ruanphen - Sarleo, Class 1” on his left and right chin was found. He wore cream-colored shorts, a yellow crew-neck shirt, and a silver bracelet blessed by Luang Pho Phian of Wat Kren Krathin, Lopburi Province. He was handcuffed behind his back and had two gunshot wounds to the chest. His body was abandoned in a mountain ditch along the Thap Kwang - Hoolin Cemetery road, on the border between Thap Kwang and Champakphaeo Subdistricts on 13 June 2026. Investigations revealed the deceased wasMr. Lek Rodsuwan, 40, from Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, who had a criminal record for possession of drugs with intent to sell.
Recently, investigative teams from Kaeng Khoi Police Station, Saraburi Provincial Police, and Region 1 Police accelerated their efforts to gather leads, resulting in the arrest of Air Force Sergeant Major Sutthipong, known as 'Ja Long', 63, and Mr. Nat, 40, at a house in Tao Pun Subdistrict, Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province. Both denied shooting Mr. Lek. The investigation then led to the arrest of Mr. Krisana, 33.
At Kaeng Khoi Police Station, the daughter of Ja Long, who had come to visit her father, revealed that the perpetrators were her father and her half-brother. After committing the crime, her father returned to her rented room but did not disclose details until he later told her, while dropping off evidence to a friend’s house in Chachoengsao Province, that he had shot someone. Police then arrested him, and she learned the full story. She did not know how many people were involved but heard from her father that the motive was related to drugs. Her father is a retired soldier, and her half-brother, unemployed after resigning as a security guard in Bangkok, had returned to Kaeng Khoi two months ago before committing the crime. Her father said three people were involved and accused Mr. Lek of drug dealing.
Then, Krisana’s girlfriend visited the suspect, saying she and her family came to see him and bring food while he was held at Kaeng Khoi Police Station. She was unaware that her boyfriend was involved in shooting Mr. Lek and only knew he had driven the vehicle used in the incident. She had not yet spoken much with him.
It was also reported that Mr. Setsawut, 25, another suspect, later surrendered to authorities.
Forensic officers from Saraburi Province inspected and collected evidence from a bronze silver Toyota Altis registered in Prachinburi, the car used to abduct Mr. Lek and transport him to the forest where he was shot, to support the case investigation.
In the afternoon, Police Colonel Kaseda Watcharanon, Deputy Commander of Saraburi Provincial Police, Police Colonel Prakorn Namsri, Chief of Kaeng Khoi Police Station, Police Colonel Kraisorn Sriamphorn, Chief of Saraburi Provincial Investigation Police, and over 20 officers took Air Force Sergeant Major Sutthipong, Mr. Nat, and Mr. Krisana to reenact the crime at six locations based on their confessions over about one hour. Mr. Setsawut remained under investigation. The three suspects were brought back to Kaeng Khoi Police Station for further questioning. The lead investigator charged them with intentional murder and concealment of a corpse, planning to detain them tomorrow. Attempts to ask about the motive failed as none of the suspects spoke.