Botched ฿30,000 drug deal ends in murder. Theerasak, 37, is beaten to death in Trang. His killer reportedly tries to dump the body in a reservoir but gets stuck in mud. The pickup is later burned. Two men arrested as police probe their accounts.
A ฿30,000 drug deal ended in murder in Trang. A 37-year-old man was beaten to death before his body was torched inside his pickup. Police arrested two men after firefighters discovered the burned remains near a reservoir. Natthawut, 36, reportedly confessed to killing Theerasak over 3,800 missing methamphetamine tablets. His attempt to dump the body failed when the pickup became stuck in mud. He allegedly returned with an accomplice and burned it. By Thursday, both men were arrested. However, police have challenged the murder confession as forensic investigations continue.
Police in Trang have arrested two Thai men after a brutal murder linked to a botched ฿30,000 methamphetamine deal. A 37-year-old man was beaten to death with a wooden stick before his body was driven towards a remote reservoir.
However, the killer’s attempt to dispose of the remains failed when the victim’s pickup became stuck in mud. Two days later, the vehicle was torched with the body still inside. Firefighters subsequently discovered the burned remains on the front passenger seat.
By Thursday, October 8, both suspects had been arrested. Police also seized bloodstained clothing, a handgun, ammunition, methamphetamine and cash. Crucially, the principal suspect reportedly confessed, although investigators have challenged inconsistencies in his account.
Burned remains found inside Mitsubishi pickup near Trang reservoir as victim’s sister identifies vehicle
The victim was identified as Theerasak, 37, also known as Boy, from Sichon district in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Police withheld his surname. The investigation began on Tuesday night, October 6, following reports of a burning Mitsubishi pickup.
Firefighters rushed to a roadside forest near Tha Ngio Reservoir in Huai Yot district. By their arrival, flames had engulfed the vehicle. Once the fire was extinguished, rescue workers discovered human remains inside. The body was positioned on the front passenger seat, severely damaged by the blaze.
The discovery immediately triggered a murder investigation. Officers from Huai Yot Police Station were joined by Trang provincial police and Provincial Police Region 9 investigators. Initially, police concentrated on identifying the victim and establishing ownership of the pickup.
Meanwhile, photographs of the burned vehicle appeared in rescue foundation reports and local news coverage. The registration number soon provided an important breakthrough.
A Thai woman named Siriluck contacted Huai Yot Police Station after recognising the pickup’s registration. She feared the dead man was her younger brother, Theerasak. According to Siriluck, she had been unable to contact him for several days.
Victim’s sister describes his movements as witnesses report a man near the pickup before the deadly fire
She explained that her brother worked tapping rubber with his partner. He regularly travelled between Bang Klam and Sichon in Nakhon Si Thammarat. Their mother lived alone in Sichon following their father’s death. However, Siriluck could not explain why her brother would have travelled to the remote Trang reservoir.
Separately, witnesses reported seeing a tall, thin man wearing a cap near the pickup before the fire. Their description reportedly matched Theerasak. Forensic investigators subsequently confirmed the victim’s identity. Police then turned their attention to tracing his final movements.
The operation was led by Police Colonel Rathakorn Phakdeewanit, deputy commander of the Provincial Police Region 9 Investigation Division. Officers from Trang provincial police and Huai Yot Police Station supported the investigation.
Within 24 hours of the discovery, police had arrested two suspects. The principal suspect was identified as Natthawut, 36, nicknamed Ai Na Lai because of distinctive facial tattoos. Officers arrested him at his home on Wednesday, October 7.
He was brought to Huai Yot Police Station at approximately 7 pm. During the operation, investigators seized clothing believed to be stained with Theerasak’s blood. They also recovered a handgun, ammunition, 200 methamphetamine tablets and an undisclosed amount of cash.
Suspect admits killing over ฿30,000 methamphetamine deal after victim reportedly delivered just 200 tablets
Under questioning, Natthawut reportedly admitted killing Theerasak. His account centred on a disputed methamphetamine transaction. According to police, he had ordered 4,000 tablets from the victim for ฿30,000.
The consignment was divided into two packages containing 2,000 tablets each. However, Natthawut claimed Theerasak delivered only 200 tablets. That left a reported shortfall of 3,800 tablets. Consequently, the suspect said he became angry but initially concealed his reaction.
The two men had arranged to meet at approximately 2 pm on Sunday, October 4. According to Natthawut’s statement, he entered Theerasak’s pickup after their meeting began. He then arranged for the vehicle to stop at a quiet roadside location.
The suspect reportedly pretended he needed to urinate and stepped outside. When Theerasak also got out, Natthawut allegedly attacked him with a wooden stick. He repeatedly struck the victim on the head. The beating continued until Natthawut believed the 37-year-old was dead.
Afterwards, the suspect reportedly dragged the body back into the pickup. He then drove away in the victim’s vehicle with the remains inside. During questioning, Natthawut insisted he had carried out the killing alone. Nevertheless, police continued examining the circumstances surrounding the attack. Investigators were particularly interested in his movements after leaving the roadside location.
Pickup becomes stuck in mud near reservoir before friend collects suspect and both return to burn it
Natthawut reportedly used GPS navigation to find the nearest reservoir. According to his statement, he intended to dump the body in the water. The navigation system directed him towards Tha Ngio Reservoir in Huai Yot district.
He subsequently drove there with Theerasak’s remains inside the pickup. The suspect arrived at approximately 1 am on Monday, October 5. However, the vehicle became stuck in mud before reaching the reservoir. Unable to move it, Natthawut abandoned the pickup with the body still inside.
Between 2 am and 3 am, the suspect reportedly telephoned a friend and requested assistance. The friend was known as Ai Sak. Police later identified him as Pongpisut, 28, also reported as Phongphisut. According to investigators, Sak collected Natthawut from the reservoir area.
The principal suspect then checked into a resort. Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi remained stranded near the reservoir throughout the following day. The victim’s body was still inside.
The two men subsequently arranged to return on the evening of Tuesday, October 6. Before travelling back, Natthawut reportedly purchased fuel from a shop near a convenience store. Investigators believe the fuel was used to burn the vehicle.
According to police, Sak accompanied Natthawut during the return journey. He also brought his daughter. However, investigators were told the child was asleep when the pickup was burned. She reportedly did not witness the fire.
Second suspect arrested after burned pickup discovery as police examine his role in destroying evidence
The Mitsubishi was then set alight with Theerasak’s body still inside. Flames engulfed the pickup, destroying much of its interior and severely burning the remains. Police believe the fire was intended to destroy evidence of the killing.
Nevertheless, firefighters recovered the body after extinguishing the blaze. The discovery subsequently led investigators to both suspects.
Following Natthawut’s arrest, another police team located Sak in Chang Klang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Officers arrested the 28-year-old and transported him to Huai Yot Police Station. He arrived at approximately 9 pm on Wednesday, October 7.
Reporters were waiting outside as police escorted him into the building. On seeing the cameras, Sak immediately covered his face. He continued shielding himself while officers led him inside for questioning.
During initial questioning, Sak reportedly admitted travelling with Natthawut. However, he did not publicly acknowledge involvement in the fatal beating. When reporters asked whether he had confessed, he refused to answer.
Similarly, he declined to respond when questioned about participation in the killing. Police subsequently concentrated on his role in the return journey and destruction of the pickup. Investigators also examined his movements after collecting Natthawut from the reservoir early on October 5.
Separate charges follow Trang murder arrests as police reconstruct the burning and question both suspects
The two suspects face different criminal accusations. Natthawut faces a murder charge and offences connected with concealing or moving a body. In contrast, Sak faces accusations involving joint arson and the concealment or destruction of human remains.
The Trang Provincial Court issued separate arrest warrants in connection with the investigation. Police continued examining whether their accounts matched evidence recovered from the vehicle and surrounding area.
By Thursday morning, October 8, investigators had begun reconstructing events at Tha Ngio Reservoir. At approximately 11 am, officers took Sak back to the location where the pickup had burned. The reconstruction focused on his reported involvement in destroying the vehicle.
Sak reportedly cooperated with investigators and acknowledged participating in the burning. However, police continued examining the precise extent of his involvement. In particular, officers sought to establish his actions before and during the fire.
In contrast, Natthawut refused to participate in a reconstruction. His refusal followed an initial statement admitting the fatal beating. Moreover, investigators identified inconsistencies in parts of his account. Police were therefore examining whether his description matched the available physical evidence.
Police examine inconsistencies in murder confession while autopsy and forensic findings remain outstanding
Although the reported confession remained central to the investigation, officers had not resolved every discrepancy. Further questioning was continuing as police worked to establish the complete sequence of events.
Investigators were examining the period between the reported killing on October 4 and the fire on October 6. This included the disputed drug transaction, the roadside attack and the journey towards Tha Ngio Reservoir.
Separately, officers were reviewing Natthawut’s reported telephone call to Sak and their subsequent movements. The purchase of fuel before the burning was another focus. Police were also examining the body’s position and the pickup’s condition when firefighters arrived.
Meanwhile, forensic investigators were awaiting an autopsy report from Songklanagarind Hospital. The examination was intended to establish the precise medical cause of Theerasak’s death. It would also provide evidence concerning injuries sustained before the fire. The reported wooden-stick attack remained the principal suspect’s explanation for the killing. However, investigators still required forensic confirmation of the fatal injuries.
Bloodstained clothes, gun and drugs seized as police examine the disputed deal and the murder timeline
The clothing recovered during Natthawut’s arrest also remained part of the investigation. Officers believed the garments contained blood belonging to the victim. In addition, police had seized a handgun, ammunition, methamphetamine tablets and cash.
These items were recovered during the operation against the principal suspect. Investigators were continuing to examine the evidence alongside statements provided by both men.
The reported drug transaction remained the central explanation given for the killing. According to Natthawut, he had agreed to pay ฿30,000 for 4,000 methamphetamine tablets. Instead, he claimed to have received only 200. He told police the shortfall prompted the confrontation. However, investigators continued assessing his account, particularly the fatal beating and subsequent disposal of the body.
The timeline established during questioning placed the attack on Sunday afternoon, October 4. Natthawut reportedly reached the reservoir early the following morning. After the pickup became stuck, he contacted Sak and left the area. Subsequently, the two men returned on Tuesday evening, October 6. The vehicle was then burned with Theerasak’s body inside. Firefighters discovered the remains later that night.
Two men remain in custody as Trang police prepare further findings on murder and burned pickup case
By Thursday, both suspects had been arrested and questioned. Natthawut had reportedly admitted carrying out the fatal assault, while Sak acknowledged involvement in burning the vehicle. Nevertheless, their respective roles remained under examination.
The principal suspect’s refusal to reconstruct the killing also left police investigating discrepancies in his statement. Officers were preparing a press conference to present further details.
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Meanwhile, investigators were awaiting forensic findings and continuing their questioning. The case remained focused on the killing, the movement of the body and the destruction of the pickup. Police were seeking to establish the precise sequence of events and each suspect’s involvement. The two men remained in police custody as the investigation continued.
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