Villagers Detain Three Chinese Men Over Myanmar Worker's Death
Villagers detained three Chinese nationals after discovering a dead Myanmar worker wrapped in plastic in a pickup truck at a temple in Rayong's Nikhom Phatthana district early September 19. Police say the victim was beaten to death during a
At 1:00 AM on September 19, Nikhom Phatthana Police received a report from a local village headman that residents had surrounded a sedan and a pickup truck parked suspiciously at Mab Kha Temple in Mab Kha subdistrict, Nikhom Phatthana district, Rayong province. Officers arrived to find villagers had encircled both vehicles, and upon inspection of the pickup truck bed discovered the body of a Myanmar male worker wrapped in plastic sheeting. Police and villagers were able to detain three Chinese nationals involved in the incident, while two other suspects escaped under cover of darkness.
During initial questioning, one of the detained Chinese men, identified as Mr. Pao, claimed the incident occurred inside a construction worker dormitory. He stated that the deceased, a Myanmar migrant worker, had been drinking with compatriots when an argument broke out, and the victim was beaten to death. Following the incident, Mr. Zhang Hai'er, identified as an employer, allegedly ordered the body be placed in the pickup truck. Mr. Pao drove a sedan to lead the way to Mab Kha Temple, where the body was to be concealed.
Village headman Rabap Phakcharoenchit revealed that Abbot Anuchana Dhammothai of Mab Kha Temple heard dogs barking unusually inside the temple grounds. He checked security camera footage before sending monks to investigate and discovered the sedan and pickup truck. The abbot then phoned the headman to come check. When villagers arrived, the group with the vehicles attempted to flee but three were apprehended by residents. Mr. Pao subsequently led police to the initial incident location at a worker dormitory in the Kachet community area, Mab Kha subdistrict, where evidence of drinking and scattered belongings were found.
Authorities have identified the perpetrator as a Myanmar national worker, though his exact name and age remain unclear. He fled during the chaos before the body could be retrieved. Nikhom Phatthana Police are actively pursuing all suspects who escaped to proceed with legal charges.
