Neighbor Confesses to Taxi Driver Murder, Police Skeptical; Weapon Found

Khaosod•Society•24d ago

Reader Briefing

A neighbor confessed to killing a taxi driver in Ayutthaya, claiming a dispute over a 400 baht fare, but police remain unconvinced and are investigating further.

•A neighbor confessed to luring and murdering a 65-year-old taxi driver in Ayutthaya.
•The suspect claims the motive was a dispute over a 400 baht fare.
•Police found the murder weapon, a blood-stained eucalyptus branch, and are skeptical of the suspect's full confession.
•The suspect has a prior criminal record, including drug-related offenses.

Overview

•At 5:30 PM on May 6, 2026, police from Chang Yai Police Station, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, escorted Natarorn, a suspect in the murder of 65-year-old taxi driver Prayat, to reenact the crime.
•Natarorn led police to a field along Highway No. 9, approximately 1 km from the road, to demonstrate how he lured and fatally assaulted Prayat by hitting him repeatedly with a wooden branch.
•Police recovered a blood-stained eucalyptus branch, approximately 1 meter long, from the scene and sent it for DNA testing.
•Police Commander of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Police, Pol. Maj. Gen. Surawut Saengrungruang, stated that police are not fully convinced by the suspect's confession and are continuing to gather evidence.
•The suspect confessed to a dispute with the victim over a 400 baht taxi fare, claiming he was supposed to pay for phone screen repair to settle the debt.
•The suspect, who has a history of drug offenses, was apprehended within 24 hours of the body being discovered, in collaboration with investigators from Provincial Police Region 1 and Ayutthaya Provincial Police.
•Police seized the victim's mobile phone from the suspect, and are investigating the whereabouts of other stolen items like cash and a watch.
•The suspect faces charges of intentional murder and robbery, with potential additional charges if further evidence of planning or other offenses is found.

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Key Quotes

Unknown

"We do not yet believe all of the suspect's statements. Whatever the suspect says, we must find evidence to prove it."

เรายังไม่เชื่อในคำให้การผู้ต้องหาทั้งหมด ผู้ต้องหาให้การอย่างไร เราต้องไปหาพยานหลักฐานมาพิสูจน์ทราบ

Key Entities

Person

Natarorn(นายนาราธร)

The suspect arrested for luring and murdering a taxi driver.

Prayat(นายประหยัด)

The 65-year-old taxi driver who was murdered.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Surawut Saengrungruang(พล.ต.ต.สุรวุฒิ แสงรุ่งเรือง)

The Commander of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Police who provided updates on the case.

Organization

Chang Yai Police Station(สภ.ช้างใหญ่)

The police station in Ayutthaya Province responsible for the investigation.

Provincial Police Region 1(ตำรวจภูธรภาค 1)

A police region that collaborated in the investigation and apprehension of the suspect.

Place

Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province(จ.พระนครศรีอยุธยา)

The province where the murder occurred and the police investigation is based.