MAE SOT – In a dramatic cross-border law enforcement operation, Thai police and military units successfully captured a well-known Muay Thai boxer accused of a horrific murder. The 28-year-old suspect, a famous Karen fighter known in the ring as “Yokdam” (Black Jade), was arrested after fleeing deep into Myanmar.
He is currently facing severe criminal charges, which include armed robbery, premeditated murder, and the illegal concealment of a human corpse. According to a detailed report from MGR Online, this major arrest highlights the vital teamwork between Thai regional police, border patrol units, and neighboring military forces.
Yokdam, whose legal name is Saw Gala, is not an ordinary suspect. He is a prominent Muay Thai fighter who trained at the prestigious Phumphanmuang boxing camp. This well-known training facility is connected to the family of a former Thai national police chief.
As a professional athlete, Yokdam was highly recognizable in both Thailand and Myanmar. For a single match, he commanded impressive earnings of between 20,000 and 30,000 baht. However, his athletic career ended abruptly on March 13, 2026, when he allegedly committed a terrible crime.
A Brutal Crime in Tak Province
The tragic events began at a secluded, unmarked hut in Ban Mai village. This quiet area is located in the Tha Song Yang district of Thailand’s Tak province. According to official police reports, Yokdam and his 17-year-old accomplice, a Myanmar national named Suwi Phonthipkul, lured a 35-year-old construction worker to the location. The victim was a fellow Karen man simply known as Saw.
Once the victim arrived at the lonely hut, the suspects launched an unprovoked and brutal attack. The seasoned fighter used his physical strength to place the victim in a restrictive chokehold. Next, the teenage accomplice stabbed the helpless worker.
Finally, Yokdam used a sharp blade to brutally slit the victim’s throat. Law enforcement officials state that the motive for this horrific crime was pure greed. The two attackers stole the victim’s black and green Honda Wave motorcycle, along with 25,000 baht in hard cash.
After committing the murder, the killers took immediate steps to hide the evidence. They shoved the victim’s body into a large fertilizer sack. Next, they loaded the heavy sack into the trunk of a white Nissan sedan that they had prepared in advance.
The pair drove approximately seven kilometers away from the crime scene. They callously threw the bagged body into a dense wooded area next to a public road. After disposing of the victim, Yokdam drove the getaway vehicle to his wife’s house to hide it from the authorities.
A Clear Timeline of Events
To better understand how this complex case unfolded, investigators provided a clear timeline of the events:
- March 13: The victim is lured to a remote hut, brutally murdered, and robbed of his motorcycle and cash.
- March 16: Local villagers walking near the road smell a foul odor. They discover the decaying body in the woods, and the police immediately begin a homicide investigation.
- April 22: Through careful detective work and cross-border cooperation, authorities capture the 17-year-old accomplice, Suwi.
- May 16: Yokdam is successfully apprehended and brought back to the original crime scene for a mandatory police reenactment.
Following the murder, Yokdam fled across the Moei River into Myanmar. He sought refuge in an area strictly controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU). This move made apprehending him incredibly difficult for Thai authorities. Yokdam possessed deep local connections, including relatives who served as officers in a local ethnic minority army. His strong influence on the Myanmar side of the border meant that Thai police could not simply cross over and arrest him without causing a major international incident.
A Dramatic Capture Involving Grenades
The final capture of the famous boxer played out like a tense action movie. Thai police and military leaders maintained constant communication with military leaders in Myanmar. Eventually, Karen ethnic soldiers agreed to help law enforcement set a trap for the dangerous fugitive.
The Karen soldiers successfully tricked Yokdam into leaving his safe house. During this operation, they discovered a terrifying detail: the boxer was heavily armed with two live hand grenades. Furthermore, intelligence revealed he was actively planning to sneak back into Thailand. His deadly goal was to murder a man he suspected of having a secret romantic affair with his wife.
To prevent a bloody shootout, the Karen soldiers used a very clever strategy. They offered Yokdam strong liquor and encouraged him to drink until he was heavily intoxicated. Once his guard was down and he was deeply drunk, four brave soldiers tackled him. After a brief physical struggle, they managed to pin the fighter down, safely disarm him of his explosives, and transport him back to the Thai authorities.
Excellent Law Enforcement Teamwork
This successful arrest demonstrates the immense value of dedicated police work and clear communication. Police Colonel Suphot Nawaratnarom, the chief of the Tha Song Yang Police Station, led the joint effort. He publicly praised his investigative team, including Police Major Apiwat Thaworn, for their relentless hard work.
The operation involved a massive team, including local police officers, Border Patrol Police Unit 344, and the 35th Ranger Forces Regiment. They worked seamlessly with Myanmar officials and ethnic minority leaders. The police chief noted that the manhunt was especially tough because the suspect closely monitored Thai news broadcasts to track the police’s every move.
Despite heavy rain, a large team of police successfully escorted Yokdam back to the original hut for a formal crime reenactment. Although the suspect was initially aggressive and gave confusing statements, skilled investigators eventually convinced him to admit his role in the terrible crime. The local community can now rest easy knowing a dangerous criminal is off the streets.
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