CHIANG MAI – Thailand’s Deputy National Police Chief visited the crime scene and personally led the interrogation of “Aik Maung,” the Shan youth gang suspect who used a sword to attack a 14-year-old girl, severing her hand. Doctors managed to reattach the girl’s hand. She remains under close medical care.
He admitted to the attack, claimed he did not realize the victim was a girl, and apologized sincerely. Authorities have now arrested 15 members of the gang, with only “Top,” the gang leader, still on the run. The suspects are facing serious criminal charges and will be deported to Myanmar after their sentences are served. All will be put on a blacklist and banned from returning to Thailand.
The incident occurred late at night on 16 September, around 11.15 pm. A group of Shan teens were riding motorbikes through Chiang Mai and encountered a group of Thai teenagers outside a 7-Eleven convenience store and a nearby laundrette.
The Shan teen group attacked, and a 14-year-old Thai girl was slashed with a sword, severing her left hand. Two other boys were also injured.
At 11.30 am today, Pol.Gen. Prachuap Wongsuk, Deputy Police Chief, Pol. Lt.Gen Krittapol Yisakorn, Commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, and Pol. Maj. Gen Thawatchai Pongwiwatchai, Deputy Commissioner of Region 5, held a press conference.
They announced the arrest of Mr. Sai Aik Maung (aged 25) and 14 other Myanmar nationals, aged 14 to 31.
These individuals were part of the “Bua Dam” and “999” gangs and now face charges of causing grievous bodily harm, conspiring in groups of five or more to commit violence, and carrying weapons (including a sparta knife) in public without permission.
According to Pol. Gen. Prachuap, the main suspect, confessed to organizing the attack. He said they used the LINE app to coordinate after learning that a younger member had been assaulted by another youth group. About 30 of them rode through Chiang Mai to retaliate.
When they found the victims outside the shop, Mr. Aik Maung used a samurai-style sword to slash the girl’s arm, hand, and back, and then the group fled in different directions. After the attack, Mr. Aik Maung tried to escape Chiang Mai by motorbike, intending to reach Bangkok.
Police arrested him at a drug checkpoint in Mae Tha district, Lamphun. He told police he did not know the victim was female and expressed deep regret, apologizing to both the girl and the Thai public for the harm caused.
The Deputy Police Chief described this as a serious and violent case involving the children of Shan migrant workers forming gangs to attack Thai citizens. To increase safety for residents and tourists in Chiang Mai, regional police are now clamping down on these groups to prevent future incidents.
Pol. Lt.Gen Krittapol also shared that the gang’s other main suspect, known as “Chai Lin” or “Top,” remains at large, though police have leads and are actively searching for him. Once captured, he faces charges under the Anti-Participation in Transnational Organized Crime Act.
Meanwhile, doctors report that the 14-year-old girl, whose hand was severed, has had her hand successfully reattached, though she needs continuous care and monitoring in the hospital.
Over the past year in Region 5, police have tracked and documented more than 20 gangs involved in violence and public disturbance. Local authorities have been working to suppress these groups and keep detailed records to prevent repeat offences.
Once the legal process is complete in this latest case, the suspects will be permanently deported and blacklisted from returning to Thailand.
