Alleged Contract Killer Arrested After Months Hiding in Remote Mountain Treehouse
Thai authorities have arrested a 51-year-old man believed to have worked as a contract killer for years after tracking him down to a secluded treehouse high in the mountains of southern Thailand.
Police located the suspect after discovering that he had been living in a hidden structure deep in the forest while evading an outstanding arrest warrant linked to a premeditated murder case. Officers had reportedly been searching for him for some time before receiving intelligence about his possible location.
The suspect, identified by Thai media as Gomin, also known as Mee Changklang, was detained during a police operation when he descended from the mountain to purchase food and basic supplies.
Police Stakeout Leads to Arrest
Investigators from local police units and regional law enforcement agencies conducted a joint surveillance operation in the mountainous region near Kalyanamit Cave in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.
Authorities reportedly discovered that the man would occasionally travel down from the mountains to obtain necessities. Officers then monitored routes leading out of the forest in anticipation of his movements.
Their plan succeeded when police identified the suspect during one of these trips and immediately executed the arrest warrant issued by the Wiang Sa Provincial Court in Surat Thani.
During the arrest, officers reportedly recovered an 11-millimetre handgun along with several rounds of ammunition believed to be in his possession.
Hidden Treehouse Discovered Deep in Forest
Following the arrest, investigators escorted the suspect back up the mountain to inspect the hideout where he had allegedly been living while on the run.
The journey required a hike of more than two kilometres uphill through dense terrain before officers reached the location.
There, police discovered a carefully concealed treehouse constructed high in a large tree on the mountainside. The structure was reportedly positioned in such a way that it was difficult to detect from below unless viewed closely.
Additional weapons, including a long-barrelled shotgun and more ammunition, were recovered from the site during the search.
Authorities Reviewing Links to Earlier Killings
During police questioning, the suspect allegedly admitted to spending much of his life working as a hired gunman and claimed involvement in several killings over the years.
Thai media reports indicated that he referenced a previous case involving the murder of a village headman in the Tham Phannara district, for which he had earlier served eight years in prison.
The suspect also told investigators that he had retreated deeper into the forest after learning that a former employer had allegedly hired another gunman to kill him.
Thai authorities are now reviewing older criminal cases that may be linked to the suspect while continuing legal proceedings related to the current murder warrant.
Police say further investigations are ongoing as they determine whether the man could be connected to other unsolved killings across the region.