Summary of the incident and suspect's behavior in the head assault and robbery of a hotel staff member in downtown Hua Hin. Authorities are expediting the manhunt, labeling it a heinous crime threatening society, and have ordered the investigation team to conduct a comprehensive and rapid pursuit as soon as possible. Tags: [crime, robbery, assault, Hua Hin, police investigation, manhunt, hotel staff]
Following a shocking violent incident on 19 Jan 2026 at approximately 03:15, investigators at Hua Hin Police Station received a report of an assailant attacking a female employee at Best LD Hotel, located inside Soi Hua Hin 88/1, Hua Hin Subdistrict, Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Officers immediately proceeded to the scene to investigate.Tags: [violent crime, Hua Hin, police response, hotel attack]
Upon arrival, they found a female receptionist, working the night shift, collapsed in a pool of blood inside the hotel's reception counter area. She had sustained severe head injuries. Nearby, a gray metal rod approximately 50 centimeters long, stained with blood, was found lying close to the injured person.Tags: [injury, assault weapon, hotel, emergency]
Rescue workers from Sawang Hua Hin Thammasathan Foundation promptly provided aid and urgently transported her to Bangkok Hua Hin Hospital. However, the victim succumbed to her injuries en route, causing great sorrow to her family and sparking public pressure demanding authorities swiftly resolve the case and apprehend the perpetrator for prosecution.Tags: [emergency medical response, victim death, public reaction, justice demand]
By thoroughly reviewing CCTV footage and collecting evidence from the crime scene, investigators were able to reconstruct the suspect’s behavior as follows:Tags: [CCTV, evidence, investigation, suspect behavior]
- At 02:49, a male suspect approximately 160–180 cm tall, with dark skin, wearing a black jacket, white pants, and orange shoes, was seen repeatedly circling the hotel reception area. His behavior resembled scouting the scene. At that time, the victim was video calling her boyfriend.Tags: [suspect description, surveillance, victim activity]
- Later, the victim began to slump over the reception desk. The suspect returned to observe the situation once more.Tags: [suspect observation, victim state]
- Upon noticing the victim was unaware, the suspect jumped over the counter and moved behind her.Tags: [suspect movement, assault preparation]
- The suspect then drew a metal rod approximately 30 centimeters long from his waist and violently struck the victim’s head repeatedly 14 times until she collapsed motionless in a pool of blood.Tags: [assault, weapon, victim injury]
- After the attack, the suspect left the weapon at the scene, took the victim’s bag and two mobile phones, and fled the location.Tags: [theft, escape, crime scene]
Subsequently, police compared CCTV images with government registration and suspect databases, identifying the perpetrator as Mr. Rattikorn Yingyod, 36, a homeless man originally from Mueang Yang District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.Tags: [suspect identification, police database, Nakhon Ratchasima]
Investigations revealed that Mr. Rattikorn had been wandering in Hua Hin District for about 3–4 months, often residing near railway tracks and frequently begging for money or food from local residents.Tags: [suspect background, transient behavior, local activity]
Furthermore, his past records indicate involvement in various crimes including theft, sexual offenses, and drug-related cases in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. He had also been previously convicted for assault and rape.Tags: [criminal record, prior convictions, serious offenses]
The Hua Hin Police investigators compiled solid evidence, including the weapon left in the forest and clothing worn by the suspect during the crime, then filed a request for an arrest warrant with the Hua Hin Provincial Court.Tags: [evidence gathering, legal process, arrest warrant application]
The Hua Hin Provincial Court approved arrest warrant no. J.15/2569 on 19 Jan 2026 at 22:00 to apprehend Mr. Rattikorn Yingyod and prosecute him according to the law.Tags: [court decision, arrest warrant, legal proceedings]
Police Colonel Kampanat Na Wichai, Superintendent of Hua Hin Police Station, disclosed that investigative teams from Hua Hin Police, Provincial Police Region 7, and the Central Investigation Bureau have been mobilized to continuously pursue the suspect. They believe he remains in the area and is likely heading toward Nong Khon Subdistrict, Mueang Ubon Ratchathani District, Ubon Ratchathani Province.Tags: [police statement, coordinated manhunt, suspect pursuit]
Today (20 Jan 2026), Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Thammasuthi, Deputy Commissioner of Metropolitan Police and Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, revealed that Police General Kittirat Phanphet, Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, issued an urgent order for Provincial Police Region 7 and the Central Investigation Bureau to mobilize resources to pursue and arrest the suspect.Tags: [police directive, resource mobilization, suspect arrest]
The Deputy Spokesperson stated that the Police Commissioner-General has received reports from Provincial Police Region 7 and expressed concern over the incident, describing it as a heinous crime undermining citizens’ safety and security of life and property. The crime occurred in a key tourist area of the country, making it unacceptable to let the perpetrator remain free.Tags: [police concern, public safety, tourism impact]
To ensure an effective pursuit and arrest, the Police Commissioner-General urgently instructed Police Lieutenant General Phisit Tanprasert, Commander of Provincial Police Region 7, and Police Major General Athorn Chinthong, Commander of Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Police, to expedite investigation and capture of the suspect.Tags: [law enforcement coordination, investigation acceleration]
At the same time, he ordered intensive deployment of investigative teams from Provincial Police Region 7 and the Central Investigation Bureau to conduct a thorough manhunt for the suspect according to the Hua Hin Provincial Court’s arrest warrant, regardless of where the suspect is hiding, as he is a dangerous person and a threat to society.Tags: [manhunt, police deployment, public safety]
Additionally, investigators were instructed to rapidly compile forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and all surrounding witness testimonies comprehensively to ensure the case file is solid and capable of securing a decisive conviction under the law.Tags: [forensic evidence, case building, legal prosecution]