Police arrested three men in connection with the murder of a cannabis shop owner whose body was discovered concealed inside a plastic container buried in a planter box at a house in Bangkok.
The investigation began on June 14 when officers responded to reports of a physical altercation and an alleged murder at a property on Thoet Rachan Road in Don Mueang district. The house also operated as a cannabis business on the ground floor.
Police initially found no evidence of a crime, but a complainant continued to insist that an incident had taken place at the property. A more detailed search of the second floor later led investigators to the body of 34 year old Chaiyasit, the operator of the cannabis shop.
The body was found inside a dark blue plastic container buried within a planter box. Investigators believe he died about one day before the discovery. Police also reported that his motorcycle and mobile phone were missing.
Three suspects were arrested yesterday. Police identified them as 27 year old Suppakorn, 27 year old Chayapon, and 24 year old Kritthanat.
Suppakorn explained that Chaiyasit had accused him of stealing his watch and had arranged a meeting at his accommodation to discuss the matter. He said that they then got into an argument, after which he stabbed Chaiyasit to death.
Suppakorn stated that remarks made about his parents contributed to the murder. The man claimed that he acted alone and that the two other men were not involved in the attack. Investigators said they are continuing to examine that claim and gather additional evidence.
Police told Matichon that Chaiyasit had filed a complaint regarding the alleged watch theft on the afternoon of the same day he was killed.
All three accused denied taking the watch. Chayapon and Kritthanat also denied involvement in the killing or the concealment of the body.
Investigators reviewed the backgrounds of the accused and found that Suppakorn had previously been implicated in the theft of 19 firearms from the Royal Thai Army while serving as a conscript in 2021.
Police also found that Kritthanat had allegedly evaded military conscription, while Chayapon had no recorded criminal history.
Police initially charged all three accused with jointly committing intentional murder and concealing, moving or disposing of a body to conceal the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.
According to Thai Rath, all three suspects were detained at Don Mueang Police Station. Supakorn reportedly showed no sign of sadness. He remained smiling and laughing cheerfully, while the other two suspects remained calm.
The story 3 Thai men held after cannabis vendor’s body found buried in planter box as seen on Thaiger News.
