Family Demands Release of Two Suspects in Elderly Woman's Murder Case After Arrest of Actual Killer Who Confessed to Debt Collection Motive; Police Explain Bail Decision Rests with Court

Family members of two suspects stormed a police station on May 19 demanding their release after police arrested Akhorn, a 57-year-old mechanic, who confessed to murdering 73-year-old Pranee on November 1, 2024. Police had initially detained Charoen Yut, 52, and Phon Phon, 54, as suspects, but Akhorn later confessed to being the actual perpetrator without implicating anyone else, though he had previously pointed police toward the two men as being at the crime scene. The family members demanded that police explain why the two innocent men remained detained despite the arrest of the true killer, and requested that police issue a statement accepting responsibility for the error and allow both men to be released.

Police clarified that investigators opposed temporary bail because the case involves a serious crime that has shocked the public, carries severe penalties, and remains under active investigation. However, police emphasized that the absolute authority to grant or deny temporary bail rests solely with the court's discretion, and that investigators' opposition to bail is merely an opinion to inform the court's decision.

Regarding Akhorn's confession, police stated he provided details about the crime location, where he assaulted the victim, the point where he disposed of the body, where evidence was burned, and where items were discarded—information valuable for gathering evidence. Police pledged to handle the case fairly. According to police, Akhorn attacked Pranee after she came to his wife's house to collect a debt, resulting in a physical altercation. Akhorn intervened to help his wife and fatally injured Pranee, then disposed of her body and destroyed evidence before his arrest.