Local Journalist Assaulted by Deputy Police Chief in Khon Kaen

On August 8, 2025, at Ban Phai Hospital in Khon Kaen Province, Police Colonel Rakchai Rueangcharoen, commander of Ban Phai Police Station, visited 42-year-old Trichep, a local journalist and administrator of the Facebook page "Ban Phai People News," who had been assaulted and suffered a severe gash above his right eyebrow requiring 12 stitches. His neck also bore scratch marks and claw wounds from fingernails. Doctors advised him to remain hospitalized for observation, and he stated that a deputy police chief attacked him at Ban Phai Police Station the previous evening.

Trichep revealed that he is the owner of the "Ban Phai People News" social media page and is part of the media network of Khon Kaen Province's television and newspaper journalists. Around 7 p.m., he parked his car at the front of the investigation office to attend a village elder's merit-making ceremony held at the Ban Phai District Office grounds. A deputy police chief he knew called him over to chat at a marble table in the back area, where two other officers were already seated. After about five minutes, the deputy police chief suddenly locked his neck with intense force. Trichep told him to stop as he couldn't breathe, and even the officers at the table told him to release him. When officers began to stand and intervene, he let go.

Feeling this might be serious, Trichep attempted to leave the table and walk toward the investigation office entrance. As he reached the door, he heard the deputy chief say, "Is this just joking around, or are you upset?" Trichep replied, "Sir, you're being too rough. I need to leave," but as he walked out, the deputy chief locked his neck a second time. Trichep lost consciousness until the two officers who had been seated at the table came with tissues to wipe blood from what he initially thought was his nose, but blood continued flowing. He later realized the wound was above his right eyebrow. Officers called municipal rescue services to provide first aid. While waiting for the ambulance, Trichep heard the deputy chief shouting loudly, and when uniformed officers arrived to investigate, the deputy chief retreated into his office. An ambulance then transported him to Ban Phai Hospital.

Trichep said he had known the deputy chief for a long time and had worked with him frequently, having a close relationship. They had never quarreled before and would joke and tease each other as acquaintances normally do. He never expected this incident to occur. After being discharged from the hospital, he plans to file an assault complaint at Ban Phai Police Station immediately.