The Central Investigation Bureau surrounded a deep forest hut to arrest 'Ruesi Thip,' a 44-year-old man wanted on a firearms charge, after villagers complained about drug dealing. He allegedly ordered drugs from Laos to sell within the village but claimed he was practicing asceticism.
On 23 Oct 2026 GMT+7, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), through the Highway Police Division, under the direction of Pol. Maj. Gen. Boonlue Phadungthin, Commander of the Highway Police Division; Pol. Col. Phitcharut Kulwimonprateep, Deputy Commander; Pol. Col. Wisanu Khamnonmuang, Superintendent of Division 6; Pol. Lt. Col. Jiraphan Rujirakul, Deputy Superintendent of Division 6; Pol. Lt. Col. Thanapon Yodkanha, Deputy Superintendent of Division 6; Pol. Lt. Nattharut Wattanachattrat, Investigating Officer of Highway Police Station 4, Division 6; and Acting Pol. Lt. Col. Somphot Boonchaya, Officer of Highway Police Station 4, led the arrest team. The team included Lt. Ritta Tukprakorn, Deputy Inspector (Patrol) of Highway Police Station 4; Sgt. Ariya Boonsai, Squad Leader; Cpl. Khunwut Prommala, Squad Leader assisting at Highway Police Station 4; and Cpl. Thawatchai Thasujai, Squad Leader assisting at Highway Police Station 4.
They arrested Mr. Khammee, 44, who is subject to an arrest warrant from Det Udom Provincial Court No. 256/2569 dated 10 Aug 2026 (case numbers Black A830/2569, Red A942/2569) on charges of "possession of a firearm without a local registrar's license."
The arrest occurred at an unnumbered rice field hut on the north side of Village 7, Ban Tum Subdistrict, Na Chaluai District, Ubon Ratchathani Province.
The arrest followed complaints and coordination from local villagers in Na Chaluai District, Ubon Ratchathani, reporting that Mr. Khammee, 44, caused significant distress by secretly building a hideout in a deep forest to use drugs and allegedly ordered narcotics from Laotian sources, delivering them to the forest before distributing them to village residents.
Police verified that the individual matched the warrant from Det Udom Provincial Court for illegal firearm possession and was involved in related activities.
Authorities then planned surveillance and arrest. An informant reported that Mr. Khammee remained hidden at the unnumbered rice field hut in Village 7, Ban Tum Subdistrict, Na Chaluai District, Ubon Ratchathani, a difficult-to-access location. Previously, he had often escaped before police arrival. The highway police strategically surrounded both front and rear entrances to block escape routes and successfully captured him. They presented the arrest warrant, informed him of his rights and charges, and took him to Det Udom Provincial Court for legal proceedings.
During initial questioning, Mr. Khammee admitted he fled into the deep forest to practice asceticism as a hermit, seeking solitude and avoiding the outside world. Regarding the drugs sold to village youth, he confessed to distributing narcotics obtained from an unidentified Laotian source, delivered at agreed locations within the village, and admitted all charges.
Further criminal record checks revealed the suspect served about two years at Ubon Ratchathani Central Prison for possession and distribution of category 1 narcotics (amphetamine) and production of category 5 narcotics. He was released in December 2023.