Fruit Tycoon Found Shot Dead and Dumped in Forest, Triggered by Debt Over Sound System
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - A prominent fruit businessman in Thailand, Thassana Boonui, was found dead in his pickup truck near a mangrove forest in Trat province. The victim was found on Tuesday (24/2/2026) local time with a gunshot wound to the eye.
Based on the crime scene investigation, police found that several of the victim’s valuables were missing. The missing items included a smartphone and a five-baht gold necklace, or approximately 76 grams, estimated to be worth 375,000 baht (IDR 202.5 million).
Investigators revealed that the shooting was carried out by Chakkrit “Nueng” Sunet (33). The perpetrator was arrested in Chanthaburi at 9:00 PM on the same day the victim’s body was found.
The suspect is currently being held at the Trat city police station for further questioning. Chakkrit has shown officers the location where he disposed of the firearm on Wednesday.
In his statement regarding the events leading up to the shooting, Chakkrit stated that he was in the same vehicle as the victim. The two were involved in a heated argument triggered by a long-standing debt dispute.
“In his statement to investigators, the suspect admitted that the financial dispute originated from a transaction involving the sale of speakers and audio equipment. The suspect was known to owe the victim 300,000 to 400,000 baht (IDR 162 million to IDR 216 million), and the amount continued to grow due to compound interest,” said an investigator, as quoted by Bangkok Post.
The tension reached its peak when Chakkrit lost control during the argument. He then pulled out a .38 caliber pistol and shot Thassana dead, before fleeing the scene.
After executing the victim, Chakkrit attempted to cover his tracks by throwing the victim’s phone into a small river about 50 meters from the location. The firearm he used was also disposed of in an area 200 meters from the initial location where the victim’s car was found.
Chakkrit’s escape ended after police tracked suspicious gold sales in the area, which were carried out by his wife. Authorities said the wife sold the victim’s gold necklace without knowing that the jewelry came from her husband’s crime.
The victim’s family stated that they had accepted the incident and fully believed that the motive for the murder was purely related to a personal debt dispute. The family said they had no further concerns about the progress of the case after the suspect was caught.