Drug Deal Dispute Suspected After Man’s Body Found in Burned-Out Pickup
Drug Deal Dispute Suspected After Man’s Body Found in Burned-Out Pickup
TRANG, October 9, 2026 — Police have arrested two Thai men in connection with the death of a 37-year-old man whose body was discovered inside a burned-out pickup truck near Tha Ngio Reservoir in Huai Yot district. Investigators suspect the killing was linked to a dispute over a methamphetamine deal.
The case came to light on the night of October 6, when firefighters were called to a roadside wooded area near the reservoir after a pickup truck was found ablaze. After extinguishing the fire, responders discovered human remains inside the vehicle.
The victim was later identified through forensic examination as Theerasak, a rubber tapper from Sichon district in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.
His sister, Siriluck, contacted Huai Yot Police Station after seeing a rescue foundation post and a news report showing the vehicle’s registration number. She said she had been unable to reach her brother for several days.
According to Siriluck, Theerasak worked tapping rubber with his partner and travelled between Bang Klam and Sichon, where their mother lived alone following their father’s death. She said she could not understand why he would have gone to the reservoir area.
Witnesses reportedly told police they had seen a tall, thin man wearing a cap near the pickup before it caught fire. The description was said to match Theerasak.
Suspected drug dispute under investigation
Police arrested two suspects, identified as Nattawut and Pongpisut, on October 7 and took them to the station for questioning.
Investigators reportedly seized bloodstained clothing, a pistol, cash and 200 methamphetamine tablets from Nattawut’s home.
According to police accounts reported by local media, Nattawut told investigators that he had ordered 4,000 methamphetamine tablets from Theerasak for 30,000 baht and arranged to meet him at around 2 p.m. on October 4.
Nattawut allegedly said Theerasak delivered only 200 tablets, prompting a dispute. He reportedly admitted luring Theerasak to an isolated roadside location and attacking him with a wooden stick.
According to the reported account, Nattawut then drove the body toward the reservoir, intending to leave it in the water. However, the pickup became stuck in mud before reaching the reservoir.
He allegedly left the body at the location and contacted Pongpisut for help. The two men reportedly bought petrol from a nearby grocery shop before setting fire to the pickup in an alleged attempt to conceal the death and destroy evidence.
These details are based on the suspects’ reported statements and remain allegations to be established through the investigation and legal proceedings.
Police continue investigating
KhaoSod reported that Pongpisut declined to speak to reporters and repeatedly covered his face with his hands.
The report also contained an unclear reference to Pongpisut’s daughter and whether she was present during the incident. Nattawut reportedly insisted that the girl had not witnessed the alleged violence. That detail has not been independently clarified.
Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of Theerasak’s death and the alleged roles of the two suspects.
