77-Year-Old Fugitive Arrested After 14 Years on the Run
A 77-year-old man wanted for attempted murder since 2012 was arrested at a Bangkok hospital after 14 years evading police, ending a manhunt that began over a violent dispute with his neighbor.
Police arrested a 77-year-old fugitive at a hospital in Bangkok's Bang Rak district on August 22, ending a manhunt that had lasted more than 14 years. The suspect, identified as Bunsong (surname withheld on request), was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by Minburi Provincial Court on November 15, 2012, on charges of attempted murder and unlawfully carrying a weapon in a public area.
The incident originated from a long-standing dispute between Bunsong and his neighbor living in the same village. The conflict stemmed from the neighbor's chickens regularly defecating on Bunsong's vehicle, which caused ongoing friction and frequent arguments between the two men. On November 14, 2012, tensions escalated into violence when another quarrel broke out. Bunsong allegedly stabbed the neighbor with a knife, causing serious injuries, then fled the area. Investigators gathered evidence and obtained an arrest warrant.
Police tracked Bunsong for years until learning he would visit a Bangkok hospital to collect medication. Officers staked out the hospital and arrested him outside the building. During interrogation, Bunsong claimed that both parties had struggled over the knife and that his neighbor fell onto it, sustaining injuries in the accident. He stated he panicked and decided to flee. He was transferred to Lam Phak Chee Police Station for further legal proceedings.