Suspect Detained in Murder Case of Father and Sister Found Dead in Steel Boxes

SAKON NAKHON: Authorities have detained a 35-year-old man for questioning in connection with the shocking murder of his father and younger sister. The victims’ bodies were discovered in locked steel boxes dumped in a pond in Phang Khon district.

The incident was brought to the attention of the police by concerned residents of Ban Sang Khui on Monday. They reported that two large steel boxes, which they had briefly seen beside the pond, were suddenly missing.

Following the report, police and rescue workers conducted a search and found the two boxes submerged in the pond at approximately 1 am on Tuesday. With careful efforts, the boxes were raised to the surface and subsequently dragged ashore. Both boxes were brand-new and securely shut with steel chains. Upon opening them, the shocking discovery of a body in each box was made.

The victims have been identified as Prayat Detphummee, aged 66, and his daughter Piangpen, aged 33.

At the scene, a 35-year-old man named Waroot was detained by the police. He was found shouting and speaking incoherently. Further investigation revealed that Waroot is the son of Prayat and the elder brother of Piangpen.

According to information provided by the Thai News Agency, the family hails from Sawang Daen Din district. An individual who works as a metal worker in the same district informed the police that Waroot had purchased the two large steel boxes from him on November 25th of the previous year, for a sum of 12,000 baht.

The metal worker explained that Waroot had claimed to intend to use the boxes for storing fishing equipment.

Authorities learned that the three family members – father, son, and daughter – had informed their relatives that they were embarking on a trip to Bhumibol dam in Tak province. They left their residence at approximately noon on Monday, according to the Thai News Agency report.

Reports suggest that the family was relatively affluent and owned a three-storey dormitory. Unfortunately, the mother had passed away in October of the previous year. She was a retired government official.