Narongwat Thachada, who once served as a deputy inspector at Bangkok’s Hua Mak police station, found himself on the wrong side of the law as he (second from left in the photo) faced arrest in a modestly rented room in Don Muang district of Bangkok on the night of December 30, 2023. (Photo supplied).
The Criminal Court made headlines on Friday, delivering a dramatic verdict that saw the former police lieutenant sentenced to death for the ruthless murder of a businessman in late December. However, in a gesture of clemency, the penalty was commuted to life in prison due to Narongwat’s cooperative testimony during the trial.
Found guilty of the premeditated murder of Krit Saruwaranon, a prominent figure in the property business and legal circles, Narongwat’s life took a drastic turn on December 29. The crime was gruesome; Krit was fatally shot on Chalong Rat Expressway, just above Pradit Manutham Road.
The relationship between the two men was initially professional and trusting. For five months leading up to the fateful day, Krit had employed Narongwat as his driver and personal security guard. But even in the most trusted arrangements, cracks can form, and in this case, those cracks led to a devastating rupture.
Authorities wasted no time apprehending Narongwat. He was rapidly charged with a series of grave offenses including premeditated murder, discharging a firearm in public, illegally carrying a gun, and possessing a firearm without proper authorization.
During their meticulous investigation, police unearthed a critical eyewitness account from an expressway employee. The observer reported seeing a heated argument between the pair next to a van, precariously parked by a wall on the expressway. Tragically, the confrontation escalated to violence as Narongwat fired five shots, sealing Krit’s fate on the tarmac.
Narongwat’s motive added another layer of intrigue and tragedy to the case. He alleged that the businessman had reneged on promises to assist him in clearing a hefty 2-million-baht debt and securing a sought-after promotion. These broken promises, Narongwat claimed, pushed him to the brink.
Initially, Narongwat steadfastly denied all charges during the investigation, standing firm in his innocence. However, the pressure of the courtroom saw him finally admit to all the allegations laid against him. His confession, though, came too late to save his reputation or his freedom.
In their final judgment, the Criminal Court confirmed Narongwat’s guilt beyond any reasonable doubt and handed him the ultimate penalty – the death sentence. Yet, acknowledging his eventual admission of guilt and cooperation, the court decided to reduce his sentence to life imprisonment. This act of leniency, while notable, offered little solace against the gravity of the crime.
The court’s decision also extended to financial reparations. Narongwat was ordered to pay approximately 13 million baht in compensation to the grieving family of the victim, a small attempt to provide some measure of justice and relief to those left in the wake of this brutal act.
As the legal dust settles, the tale of Narongwat Thachada serves as a cautionary tale of trust violated, promises broken, and the drastic lengths one might go to when pushed to the edge. The echoes of his actions will undoubtedly resonate through the halls of justice and in the memories of those affected by the tragic end of Krit Saruwaranon.
Narongwat deserved the death penalty for what he did! Life in prison is too lenient for such a cold-blooded murder.
I disagree. While what he did was terrible, the death penalty is an extreme measure that doesn’t solve anything and isn’t deterrent.
Then what’s the point of even having a death penalty if we’re not going to use it in cases like this?
He only did it because of the debt and broken promises. Maybe Krit should have kept his word!
Seriously? No amount of debt justifies taking someone’s life. There were other ways to handle it.
Exactly, he could have gone to court or sought some other legal resolution. Murder is never the answer.
This is just victim blaming. Let’s not forget that Krit lost his life!
It’s sad that the corruption in the system can push someone to the edge like this.
What corruption? Narongwat made his own choices. Stop trying to shift the blame.
I think Linda means the broken promises and the debt, not that it excuses murder but it’s still part of the story.
Exactly, Mark. I’m not excusing what he did, just pointing out that the broken promises may have contributed.
Agreed. There’s usually more to these stories than what meets the eye.
I think this case highlights the importance of mental health support for law enforcement officers. He clearly was not in the right state of mind.
That’s a good point, Pete. They should have access to resources to help handle stress.
True, but let’s not forget he was a former police officer. He knew what he was doing.
Mental health is always overlooked until it’s too late.
The financial compensation to the family is a joke. No amount of money can bring Krit back.
I feel bad for both families. Narongwat’s family must be devastated too.
Let’s not make a murderer a victim. He did this to himself.
We can empathize with those affected without excusing his actions.
Both families are suffering now, that’s undeniable.
This is yet another example of why stricter gun laws are necessary. How did he even get the gun?
Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. Making guns illegal won’t stop criminals.
Background checks and proper licensing could prevent such tragedies. It’s not about making guns illegal, but responsible ownership.
Corruption in the police force is nothing new. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
True, but not all cops are bad. Let’s not paint them all with the same brush.
I know, Kimberly. But we need more transparency and accountability.
How could someone commit such a gruesome act and then deny it initially?
Denial might be his way of coping with the gravity of what he did.
Doesn’t change the fact that he killed a man. A real man would face up to his actions immediately!
Trust is a fragile thing. This story is proof. You never really know who you can trust, even those closest to you.
Looking forward to seeing how this story develops and if any new evidence comes to light.
Life imprisonment is a heavy sentence. He’ll have to live with what he did every single day behind bars.
He should have thought about that before pulling the trigger.