In a whirlwind of controversy, drama, and intrigue, the world of Thai local politics was shaken on the fateful evening of September 6, 2023. It all went down in the opulent pool villa of a man once known as Praween Chankhlai, the sub-district chief of tambon Takong, widely recognized by his alias, “Kamnan Nok.” Fast forward to January 30, 2025, and Bangkok’s bustling Criminal Court has finally slammed down the gavel, sentencing Praween to life imprisonment. In this shocking tale of power, influence, and a deadly dispute over a police promotion gone awry, truth seems stranger than fiction.
Praween’s residence wasn’t your ordinary suburban dwelling. His success in local public works contracts afforded him the kind of luxury most folks only dream of—like casually owning a 25-million-baht Bentley, which, for fun fact lovers, was parked not too far from the scene of the terrifying crime. But the wheels of fate turned a bizarre evening party into a harrowing crime scene that would leave many mouths agape.
Now, back to that electrifying night when officers from various ranks gathered to clink glasses with Praween amidst laughter and toasts—a seemingly jovial affair that quickly spiraled into chaos. Among the attendees was Pol Maj Sivakorn Saibua, a dedicated inspector from Highway Police Sub-division 2. Unfortunately for him, the party would be his last.
The stirrings of drama began when Praween, clearly ruffling his feathers of influence, requested the amicable transfer of Pol Maj Sivakorn to reinstate his nephew as a patrol officer. “Oh, let’s wait for the annual shuffle in policing manpower,” said Pol Maj Sivakorn, who likely didn’t intend to rain on Praween’s parade. Yet, what went from an innocent suggestion briskly segued into high-stakes drinking bravado, filled with competitive shots and escalating testosterone levels.
Once the final round of drinks was consumed and Praween lost—albeit with a big grin and a sweaty brow—Pol Maj Sivakorn quipped something along the lines of always walking away a winner. But the crestfallen Praween was not amused. With a proverbial slam of the fist, accompanied by a melodramatic swirl of his cape (figuratively, of course), he stormed off to another table in a huff.
His nephew, Pol Sgt Maj Pisit Chewpreecha, along with Pol Maj Sivakorn, attempted a diplomatic chase-down and offered their apologies. Alas, in a bid to diffuse mounting tensions, Uncle Praween retorted: “Flee, dear nephew, before this turns ugly or bloody.” And so, Pol Sgt Maj Pisit made a swift exit, while the now infamous showdown between Praween and the Major resumed elsewhere.
According to gripping court testimony, the beacon of events dimmed when Praween brooded ominously and uttered those unforgettable words: “Fetch me a gun. Enough is enough.” These words were allegedly received by his aide, Thananchai Manmark, who seemed more than willing to oblige. The chain of command was a nod rather than an explicit decree but enough fuel for Thananchai to unleash a barrage of 9mm bullets, omniscient in their tragic accuracy. Struck by tragedy, Pol Maj Sivakorn sadly succumbed to his injuries at Nakhon Pathom Hospital. During this harrowing mayhem, Pol Lt Col Wasin Panpee also fell victim to serious injuries.
Like a cat with nine lives, Thananchai sacrificed two of them in a dramatic two-day police pursuit across Kanchanaburi before meeting his end in a final exchange of gunfire. To cap off this tragic saga, a remorseful Praween, perhaps inspired by a late burst of conscience, surrendered to authorities.
The court proceedings top off this twisty plot with emotional courtroom scenes, leading Praween to extend financial compensation to both bereaved families of Pol Maj Sivakorn and the injured Pol Lt Col Wasin, withdrawing their suits against him. Meanwhile, the revelations of Praween’s extensive ties with political bigwigs ignited a media frenzy, prompting Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to light the match on a national crackdown against local mafias. His ultimatum? Compile a detailed list of the players and clean up the dramas that sculpture public life.
The case of “Kamnan Nok” serves as a reminder that the intertwined worlds of politics, influence, and crime are labyrinthine, where loyalties shift, and stakes accelerate amid escalating tensions—a sordid tale, now immortalized in the annals of Thai justice.
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