Thai police have arrested a fugitive gunman who had allegedly been hiding in a treehouse deep in the mountains of southern Thailand while evading authorities.
The 51-year-old suspect, identified by Thai media as Gomin, also known as Mee Changklang, was detained on March 12 after officers intercepted him while he was descending the mountain to purchase food and other necessities.
According to police, the man was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Wiang Sa Provincial Court in Surat Thani for alleged premeditated murder.
Arrested During Surveillance Operation
Authorities said officers from Tham Phannara Police Station, together with investigators from Provincial Police Region 8 and local administrative officials, launched a joint operation after receiving intelligence that the suspect had been hiding in a mountainous area near Kalyanamit Cave in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Investigators later discovered that the fugitive would occasionally leave his hideout to obtain supplies. Officers subsequently set up surveillance along the suspected route and arrested him once he was identified and presented with the outstanding warrant.
Police said an 11-millimetre handgun and several rounds of ammunition were seized from the suspect during the arrest.
Hidden Treehouse Discovered In Mountain Forest
Following the arrest, officers escorted the suspect back up the mountain to inspect his hideout. The journey reportedly required a hike of more than two kilometres uphill.
At the site, police discovered a treehouse built high within a large tree and concealed among dense foliage, making it difficult to detect from the ground unless viewed closely.
Authorities also recovered a long-barrelled shotgun along with additional ammunition from the location.
Police Reviewing Past Cases
During questioning, the suspect allegedly told investigators he had spent much of his life working as a hired gunman and claimed involvement in numerous killings over the years.
Thai media reports also cited him referring to an earlier case involving the killing of a village headman in Tham Phannara district, for which he had previously served eight years in prison.
The suspect further alleged that a former employer had later hired another gunman to assassinate him, prompting him to retreat deeper into the forest and live in hiding.
Police said they are now reviewing older case files while continuing investigations under the active arrest warrant.
