Two Suspects Arrested for Murder and Burning Victim in Trang
Police in Trang province have arrested two men for the murder and burning of a 37-year-old man whose body was found in a torched pickup truck near Huai Ngiew reservoir. The main suspect, Natthawut, confessed he killed the victim over a drug deal gone wrong, then enlisted his friend 'Sack' to help dispose of the evidence. Both suspects are now in custody at Huai Yot police station.
On October 8, 2026, reporters reported progress after discovering a completely burned pickup truck near the Huai Ngiew reservoir in Tambon Huai Ngiew, Huai Yot district, Trang province, before finding a human skeleton on the front passenger seat. The victim was identified as 37-year-old Thirasak (surname withheld). Witnesses said they saw a thin, tall man wearing a hat near the vehicle. Within 24 hours, police from Region 9 Investigation Unit led by Pol. Col. Ratakorn Phakdiwanich, suppression unit, Trang Provincial Police, and Huai Yot police station mobilized and arrested two suspects.
The main suspect, identified as Natthawut (surname withheld), alias 'Tattoo Face' due to facial tattoos, 36, was apprehended at his home with blood-stained clothing, a handgun, ammunition, 200 methamphetamine tablets, and cash. He confessed that he ordered 4,000 meth tablets from the victim for 30,000 baht but received only 200 tablets, causing anger. On October 4 at 2:00 PM, he arranged to meet the victim, rode together, then pretended to urinate roadside; when the victim exited, Natthawut struck him on the head with a wooden stick until he was certain he was dead, dragged the body into the truck, and acted alone.
He then drove the victim's vehicle, using GPS to locate the nearest dam to dump the body, believing it safest. GPS directed him to Huai Ngiew Dam; upon arrival around 1:00 AM on October 5, the truck got stuck in mud, so he left the body inside. Between 2:00 and 3:00 AM, he called his friend known as 'Sack' to pick him up, then checked into a resort. Later that evening on October 6, he met Sack again at the dump site, bought gasoline from a nearby convenience store, and set fire to both the body and the truck while Sack’s daughter slept in the vehicle, unaware. After the fire, they fled.
Around 9:00 PM the same day, another police unit arrested Phongsaphat (surname withheld), alias 'Sack', in Chang Klaeng district and brought him to Huai Yot police station for questioning. He admitted accompanying Natthawut but, with his face covered, refused to answer further questions when reporters asked if he confessed. Police plan to release further details today.
