"Joke Rangmuang," suspect in indecency and robbery cases, was arrested with a gun and methamphetamine. He admitted to indecent acts against a child who came for a tattoo after social media widely circulated warnings.
On 20 Jun 2026, it was reported that the Chom Bueng Police Station in Ratchaburi posted on Facebook that after dangerous individuals’ photos were widely shared across groups, they had issued arrest warrants and were investigating. Anyone spotting the suspect could contact Chom Bueng Police at 032-261128.
Three victims, all boys, reported to Chom Bueng Police that Waranyu, known as "Joke Rangmuang," lured them for indecent acts. Investigators tracked Joke, gathered evidence, and issued an arrest warrant. Locals reported that Joke wandered asking for money and food at friends’ and relatives’ homes and often stayed overnight at temples. Authorities increased patrols due to community fear and social media warnings.
On 19 Jun, villagers informed reporters that a male suspect on a bronze Suzuki Step motorcycle, license plate partially recalled as 4700, came to a shop owned by Je Wa at Khao Changum-Pulung Road, Village 9, Khao Changum Subdistrict, Photharam District, Ratchaburi. He tried to buy gasoline, beer, and one ice cream but refused to pay. His face resembled the suspect warned about on social media. The suspect fled on the motorcycle at 15:25, with the shop’s CCTV capturing the incident.
Reporters visited the shop where Je Wa said the suspect, wearing a long-sleeve shirt, jeans, and a brimmed hat, took two bottles of gasoline placed outside the shop to fuel his motorcycle (customers usually fill it themselves), ordered two beers, and took one ice cream. While she was calculating the bill, the suspect tried to leave on his motorcycle. She ran to stop him but recognized him by tattoos around his eyes and let him go out of fear. She was with her two nephews at the time. The suspect spoke politely without threats. Afterward, she reported the incident to authorities who investigated.
Authorities checked CCTV from Khao Changum Subdistrict Administrative Organization near the intersection before Je Wa’s shop and saw the suspect rode back toward Chom Bueng District after the incident. Police pursued and coordinated with local officials in Photharam and Chom Bueng to track the suspect, fearing further crimes. Joke was known to carry a firearm.
Subsequently, Chom Bueng investigation team, provincial investigators, and local administration officials intensified efforts, dividing into teams to cover places where Joke was known to frequent.
At around 21:00 on 19 Jun 2026, officers spotted a bronze Suzuki Step motorcycle, license plate 1กม-4700 Ratchaburi, behind a school in Village 7, Chom Bueng Subdistrict. When the rider saw police, he abandoned the motorcycle and fled on foot but was captured. Police seized an improvised .38-caliber pistol with three matching bullets, six methamphetamine pills, and the motorcycle used in the crimes. He was taken to Chom Bueng Police Station for interrogation.
During questioning, Joke Rangmuang admitted he had been released from prison for drug offenses less than a year ago. He worked tattooing for youth groups and confessed to indecent acts with children who came for tattoos but denied allegations involving women or female students. He admitted consuming three methamphetamine pills that evening and robbing the shop in Village 9 due to lack of money. He was unaware that arrest warrants had been issued against him.
Authorities initially charged him with illegal possession of a firearm, indecency with a child, drug possession, drug use, and robbery before handing him over to prosecutors for further legal action.