Lao man caught at Nong Khai border after killing and dismembering ex-girlfriend

2026-03-25 - 05:00

NONG KHAI — 25 March 2026, Immigration police in Nong Khai have detained a 26-year-old Lao man accused of murdering and dismembering his girlfriend, following his attempted flight across the Thai–Lao border. The suspect, identified as Tom, was taken from the Nong Khai Immigration Detention Centre to an investigation room along with clothing worn on the day of the incident and personal belongings, including cash and a mobile phone. He had fled to Nong Khai after allegedly killing his 20-year-old Lao girlfriend, Ram. Officers said the suspect is wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court on charges of premeditated murder and concealing, moving, or destroying a body to hide the cause of death. He admitted he was the individual named in the warrant. During questioning, the suspect initially refused to speak but showed no visible signs of stress or remorse. He later told investigators he had been in a relationship with the victim for six to seven years and that they had married and moved to Thailand for work. He worked in a hospital kitchen in Bangkok, while the victim had sold meatballs before later taking a job at an entertainment venue in Chonburi. He said the couple had argued frequently in recent months. The victim wanted to return to Laos due to her father’s illness, while he urged her to wait until the end of the month so both families could help mediate their dispute. According to his account, she refused and left him. The suspect said he later tracked her to her workplace in Chonburi, where he claimed to have seen her with a male customer in an intimate manner and overheard plans to continue together at a room. He waited until the venue closed and persuaded her to return to Bangkok with him. Authorities allege the man killed the woman at their accommodation using a knife before dismembering the body and attempting to conceal the remains. He told police he went to work as usual the next day, leaving the remains in the room until the evening, when he disposed of them. He then fled by plane to Udon Thani and hired a motorcycle taxi to travel to the Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge in Nong Khai, believing a helmet would help conceal his identity. Immigration officers became suspicious and arrested him before he could cross the border. Police said the suspect appeared calm and even joked about the speed of his arrest, remarking that Thai police were “very capable”. After questioning, officers recorded his statement and said he would be transferred to investigators from Thung Song Hong Police Station in Bangkok to face legal proceedings.