Two Daughters of Accused Demand Justice in 'Grandma Jook' Loan Shark Murder Case, Claims Father Made Scapegoat

Two daughters of accused men in the murder of Pranee, known as 'Grandma Jook' a local loan shark, are demanding justice after police allegedly relied on testimony from just one witness while lacking scientific evidence. Police arrested Charoenyuth, 51, and Pholphol, 54, on warrants from Thungsong District Court on charges of premeditated murder and robbery in connection with Pranee's death in Ron Phibun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. The victim was found dead on May 1, 2569, with bite wounds and lacerations to her head and arms.

On May 8, 2569, Suphaporn, 28, and Nopdol, 32, filed complaints requesting justice, asserting that both men are innocent. Nopdol revealed that on April 30, the day before the murder, witnesses saw Akkhom, Grandma Jook's foster son, in a heated argument with her. Akkhom disappeared for three days before returning on May 3 to tell police that Charoenyuth and Pholphol hired him to commit the murder. However, key evidence—a spray can, shoes, and two machetes—was found in Akkhom's house.

The family questions why police closed the case based on a single witness when locals know Akkhom owed Grandma Jook money, while neither Charoenyuth nor Pholphol had financial dealings or debts to the victim. They demand thorough DNA testing and forensic analysis before proceeding. Suphaporn confirmed the family had no debts to Grandma Jook and noted that regarding Pholphol, police suspected a 'debt-clearing' murder after finding watermelon rinds near his home, despite his wife only having borrowed money and sold goods near the victim's house.

The family also claims that during the suspected time of murder, Pholphol was riding his motorcycle in the village and stopped at a nearby shop, while Charoenyuth was ill and resting at home, with neighbors confirming both accounts. Suphaporn stated that the evidence police used to obtain the arrest warrant was insufficient, particularly the machetes seized from a neighbor on May 5—two days after the murder—which Charoenyuth had borrowed on May 3 for firewood. She noted suspicion over a police officer's comment asking why the machete owner hadn't claimed he lent it on another day.

She also mentioned that on the night of April 30, Akkhom's mother suffered shock and was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night, and wants an investigation into what happened during that time. Since their arrest, both men have maintained their innocence to family members and vowed not to confess, even under pressure. Bail requests have been denied at both investigation and court levels, and family visits have been restricted.

Sirivarn, 29, Pholphol's daughter, revealed that the witness who claimed her father paid 7,000 baht as hush money at 18:05 contradicts CCTV footage showing Pholphol was in Khuan Chum sub-district at that time and later rode back into the village, stopping at a shop near his home at 20:27. She also questioned why police took her father for another interrogation, claiming it was for a urine test despite having tested him before, coinciding with the moment Akkhom entered Ron Phibun Police Station wearing a hat and mask.

The family maintains they have evidence and witnesses confirming both men's innocence, though some witnesses are afraid to testify due to fear of police testing.