Five Officers Arrest Man, Dump Him—All Surrender to Police
Five narcotics officers from Chiang Mai have surrendered after allegedly abducting and severely injuring an elephant handler in Mae Taeng district; all deny wrongdoing and face abuse of authority charges.
Five men claiming to be narcotics officers from Chiang Mai Region 33 allegedly abducted an elephant handler and left him severely injured on a roadside. All five have surrendered, with a sergeant rank officer heading the operation and denying the charges. On July 20, 2025, more than 100 residents from Pang Chang village in Mae Taeng district, members of the Karen ethnic minority, gathered at the Chiang Mai Provincial Police Office with the victim's wife to demand justice. The wife wept as she submitted a formal complaint to Lt. Col. Yutthana Kaenjanchon, the provincial police commander. Yutthana disclosed that the victim remains hospitalized with severe injuries and cannot yet provide a statement.
Chiang Mai provincial police determined that the perpetrators were five officers from Region 33's narcotics task force, led by a sergeant. Two officers have already confessed, and three others submitted their intent to surrender today. Investigators have questioned witnesses and the victim's family. Initial charges of "abuse of authority" have been filed, with additional charges pending the victim's statement and further evidence. The case will also be referred to the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
The accused officers deny wrongdoing, claiming they were performing legitimate duties and that the victim fell from their vehicle and was not seriously injured at the time. They stated they transported him to the location where he was found. However, no other witnesses have yet corroborated their account. Investigators await the victim's statement to establish the facts.
The victim's wife tearfully described her husband as the family's sole breadwinner, now uncertain how she and their children will survive financially. She has submitted letters requesting help from Chiang Mai's ruling party parliamentarians and appealed directly to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for justice. She also filed a separate request for aid from the ruling party representatives in the province, calling for fairness toward the Karen ethnic community.
