CHIANG MAI — 1 May 2026, Police in northern Thailand have arrested a 31-year-old serial killer who confessed to killing three homeless men in separate incidents and burning one body to conceal the crime, authorities said.
At a press briefing at 10:30 on 1 May 2026, Provincial Police Region 5 chief Lt. Gen. Kritthaphon Yeesakhon said the suspect was apprehended on the evening of 30 Apr 2026 near Chang Phueak Market in Chiang Mai.
The suspect, identified as Panhae Pooli, was arrested with items believed to have been used during the crimes, including clothing and personal belongings seen in surveillance footage.
Police said the investigation began after officers from Chang Phueak police station were alerted at 8:15 on 29 Apr 2026 to a burned body under Rattanakosin Bridge in Chiang Mai. The victim, a 51-year-old homeless man from Mae Hong Son province, had suffered a stab wound to the neck before being set on fire.
A second body was discovered at 11:13 on 30 Apr 2026 under Khrua Sali Wiang Ping Bridge in the same city. The victim, a 46-year-old homeless man, was found with injuries and bleeding from the mouth.
Investigators linked the cases to an earlier killing on 7 Jan 2026 in Chiang Rai, where another homeless man was beaten to death near Singhaklai Road.
Police tracked the suspect through CCTV footage showing a man in a black sleeveless shirt, red elephant-pattern trousers and trainers near multiple crime scenes. He was later identified as also being homeless.
Authorities said the suspect confessed to all three killings. He has been charged with intentional murder and concealing a body to obscure the cause of death, and was handed over to investigators for legal proceedings.
Police said further investigation is ongoing.
