CHIANG MAI— Two suspects accused of murdering a local businessman and burning his body along with his car in a mountain area have been caught, say police. The suspects claim they acted out of anger after the victim failed to repay a 500,000 baht loan.
Police Major General Kritthapol Yisakhon, commander of Provincial Police Region 5, questioned the suspects himself at Mae Jo Police Station in San Sai, Chiang Mai. Officers arrested Damrongrit Jaidee (also known as Ton), 33, a postal worker, at a home in Chom Thong district.
The case began early on 29 August when police found a body in a burned white Suzuki sedan, registration number JY 3710 Chiang Mai, down a steep slope in Thep Sadet, Doi Saket district in Chiang Mai. Fire crews put out the blaze, but the car was destroyed.
Inside, investigators discovered the remains of Khunasin Intayos, 32, from Luang Nuea, Doi Saket, who owned several businesses in the area.
Earlier, police from Mae Jo Station responded to a report of an assault at 347 Moo 13, Pa Phai, San Sai. At the house, they found bloodstains on the floor, stains in the bathroom, and a bloodied hammer.
The home belonged to Watchirawit Boontawee, 28, but no one was present. Surveillance footage showed that on the afternoon of 28 August, Watchirawit (known as Sua) called Khunasin (also known as Golf) to his house. Watchirawit said he wanted to show Golf a new blue car and would lend him another 100,000 baht.
When Golf arrived, Watchirawit, shirtless, chatted about the car and a bird Golf was interested in, then coaxed him inside. Damrongrit (Ton) was already there. Once inside, both men attacked Golf with a hammer and a pestle.
Security footage captured the victim’s screams. After the assault, they cleaned up the blood by washing a sofa in front of the house. That night, they put the body in Golf’s white Suzuki sedan. Watchirawit drove while Damrongrit helped move the body.
They took the car and body up a remote road in Thep Sadet, Doi Saket. Using petrol, they set the car on fire to cover up the crime and staged the scene to look like an accident by pushing the car down a hill. During the process, the car rolled downhill.
Watchirawit’s leg got caught underneath, then the car clipped his own vehicle. Petrol spilled, flames spread, and Watchirawit suffered burns and a broken leg. Damrongrit took Watchirawit to Doi Saket Hospital before fleeing, but police later captured him.
Major General Kritthapol stated that Watchirawit, currently receiving treatment at Doi Saket Hospital, confessed to hiring Damrongrit for 50,000 baht to help kill Golf. Watchirawit claimed he was angry after Golf borrowed 500,000 baht and refused to repay him.
Both men now face charges of premeditated murder, concealment and destruction of a body, and arson. Investigators are reviewing Watchirawit’s statements about the money’s origins and checking for more possible suspects or backers in the case.
