Police are on the hunt for a 37-year-old Thai man accused of murdering five family members — including his pregnant wife — last night.
Authorities believes they are getting closer to catching Ranong native Weerapol Pin-amorn, as the vehicle he allegedly used to escape was found parked outside the Maya Hotel in Phitsanulok province’s Muang Phitsanulok district at about 9:30am today, according to Channel 3 News.
It is believed he has not left the province at this point.
UPDATE: Thai man behind massacre of 5 family members arrested
The manhunt has been on since 8pm last night, following the report of a multiple homicides at two houses in Phichai District, located in the northern province of Uttaradi.
In the garage of the first house, officials found the lifeless body of Weerapol’s wife Kanyarat Kingkaew, who was four months pregnant, and his 46-year-old father-in-law, Wirat Kingkaew, reported Khaosod. Kanyarat’s age was unknown as of press time.
Five kilometers away, in a second house, police found the bodies of the suspect’s 53-year-old cousin Kanokwan Intharasit and twin sisters Nampheung (the suspect’s mother-in-law) and Nampha Intharasit, both 48.
All five victims were shot with a 9mm pistol, reported Sanook.
Pichai district chief Pratchya Sertleucha said Weerapol has been living with Kanyarat for almost a year and that the couple often argued.
Police believe she broke up with Weerapol on the day of the incident, allegedly over his drug abuse.
That afternoon, the gunman allegedly first went to his mother-in-law’s house to look for his wife before shooting the first three victims in anger, reported The Nation.
He then drove to his father-in-law’s house, where, in disturbing footage captured by CCTV cameras, Weerapol can be seen arguing with his wife and father-in-law before pulling a gun out and shooting the 46-year-old man. When a shocked Kanyarat runs towards her father, Weerapol shoots her as well.
The two victims, lying on the ground, can be seen crawling towards one another before passing away in each other’s arms.
Another unidentified woman — possibly Kanyarat’s younger sister — can be seen running into the scene before being chased out of frame by the gunman.
The Nation reports that, having heard the gunshots, Kanyarat’s sister, her husband, and another male cousin went to investigate, only for Weerapol to allegedly open fired on them as well.
Though the sister was unharmed, the two men sustained injuries and have since been transported to Uttaradit Hospital.
We will be sure to provide updates as the story develops.
