Pattaya, Thailand – Police in Pattaya have apprehended two more suspects linked to a vicious attack on a 26-year-old Lao woman, Ms. Waewta, which took place on February 2, 2025. The incident involved a gang of seven assailants, including one woman and six men, who wore balaclavas to conceal their identities. The group ambushed Ms. Waewta in Soi Thepprasit, assaulting her with extreme violence, slashing her face with a knife, holding her at gunpoint, and robbing her of cash, a mobile phone, her passport, and motorcycle keys.
The attack saw the female assailant initiate the assault by slapping and beating Ms. Waewta, while the male accomplices joined in, appearing to act out of deep-seated resentment. The victim sustained injuries and lost 7,000 baht in cash, a mobile phone, her passport, and the keys to her motorcycle. Terrified by the ordeal, Ms. Waewta sought help from Mr. Kanthas Phongpaiboonvej, also known as “Gun Jom Palang,” a well-known local advocate, who accompanied her to the Pattaya City Police Station on March 17, 2025, to follow up on the case as we reported here.
On March 25, 2025, at 9:00 PM, Police Colonel Anek Sarathongyoo, Superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, alongside Police Lieutenant Colonel Arut Saphanont, Deputy Superintendent of Investigations, led a team of detectives to arrest two of the seven suspects, which we originally reported here. The apprehended individuals were identified as Ms. Ruthai Soomkhemthong, alias “Gift,” aged 23, who allegedly orchestrated and carried out the attack, and Mr. Peerarat Yusabai, alias “Ohm,” aged 28. The arrests were made at a rented room in Central Pattaya, where police also recovered a Honda Wave 110i motorcycle used in the crime. The vehicle, originally red and black, had been repainted gray and lacked a license plate in an attempt to evade authorities.
Police Colonel Anek revealed that investigators have identified a total of nine suspects involved in the case: two who pointed out the target and seven who carried out the assault. Contrary to rumors of foreign mafia involvement, the perpetrators are local youths and teenagers hired to attack Ms. Waewta due to a dispute over market trading interests. The superintendent expressed confidence that the remaining suspects would soon be apprehended.
Mr. Peerarat, one of the arrested suspects, claimed the group was hired by an individual named “Samao,” with Ms. Ruthai acting as the intermediary. He insisted that only Ms. Ruthai physically assaulted the victim, while the male accomplices merely stood guard. He denied knowledge of who took the victim’s phone and claimed the group did not take her money.
The two suspects have been detained and charged with robbery and causing bodily harm. They have been handed over to the Pattaya City Police Station’s investigative team for further legal proceedings. The case has sparked widespread concern in the community, with authorities vowing to bring all involved to justice.
