Phuket Police Arrest Fugitive Nearly 20 Years After Wife’s Murder

A man wanted for the murder of his wife nearly two decades ago has been arrested in Phuket, bringing an end to a long-running manhunt just months before the case was due to reach its statute of limitations.

Officers from Thailand's Crime Suppression Division (CSD) detained 65-year-old Mr. Sawai on Sri Suthat Road in Phuket Town after tracking his movements across several provinces. He was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Court in 2006 on charges including murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and carrying a weapon in public without permission.

According to investigators, the case dates back to 2006, when Mr. Sawai allegedly shot and killed his wife during a domestic dispute. Police said he later admitted the attack was driven by jealousy after he suspected his wife of having a relationship with another man. During the argument, he fired two rounds from a .22-caliber pistol, killing her at the scene before fleeing.

Investigators said that after the shooting, the suspect sold the firearm to a motorcycle taxi rider in Bangkok for 4,000 baht to finance his escape.

To avoid capture, Mr. Sawai reportedly changed his name, cut off contact with his relatives, and moved repeatedly between Chiang Mai, Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Phuket, earning a living as a welder while living under a new identity.

With the statute of limitations set to expire in September 2026, CSD officers intensified their investigation. By piecing together information from multiple leads, investigators confirmed the suspect's whereabouts in Phuket before carrying out surveillance and making the arrest.

Police said Mr. Sawai has confessed to the charges and remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.

Authorities stated that the arrest demonstrates their determination to pursue justice, even in cases that have remained unresolved for many years.