Suspect in Khon Kaen murder arrested
The police on Wednesday nabbed Somkid Pumpuang, the prime suspect in the murder of a 51-year-old woman at a Khon Kaen residence.
He was reportedly arrested at Pak Chong train station in Nakhon Ratchasima province while travelling from Surin to Bangkok.
Somkid, dubbed as Thailand’s Jack the Ripper, was originally given the death sentence for murdering five people, but this was later commuted to life in prison. He was jailed on June 29, 2005, and served just under 14 years before being released on May 27 this year for good behaviour.
The public has heaped praises on the two train passengers who provided information to the police, leading to the arrest of alleged murder suspect Somkid Pumpuang.
The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, boarded a train travelling from Nakhon Ratchasima province to Bangkok and seated opposite to a man wearing a hat and a mask.
The behaviour of the man then began to attract their attention as he was always turning his face to the wall as if he did not want to be recognised.
Their suspicion heightened when they saw a scar on his left eyebrow, matching the police description of Somkid’s appearance.
The couple was terrified but still attempted to take his picture before moving to another train car where they contacted the police.
They kept up a watch on Somkid until the police arrived at Pak Chong train station.
The chief of Kranuan Police Station in Khon Kaen province, which is handling the recent murder case of a 51-year-old woman, handed over Bt50,000 to the couple in appreciation of the information they had provided.