PATTAYA, THAILAND – A fatal New Year’s motorcycle crash in Banglamung exposed a hidden cache of drugs and weapons and led to the arrest of a suspect already wanted on serious charges.
Deadly New Year crash in Banglamung
The incident occurred in Soi Yai Cha, Moo 5, when a black Honda MSX motorcycle with a license plate from Rayong left the road and crashed into roadside vegetation. The rider, 43-year-old Num Senanok, died at the scene. Around the body, responders found 200 methamphetamine (Yaba) tablets, several spent bullet casings and the victim’s mobile phone.
Text message to the deceased alerts investigators
While officers waited at the scene for relatives, a message arrived on the seized phone. The sender, 32-year-old Wanich Chaemchu, nicknamed Golf, asked about the whereabouts of the motorcycle and the drugs. Wanich apparently did not yet know of his acquaintance’s death and seemed to assume the rider had taken the motorcycle and the narcotics. Investigators used the phone number to determine the sender’s location.
Suspect found nearby and drinking
Police located Wanich in a residential house in Moo 5, Prong Saket, in Takhian Tia subdistrict, only about 500 meters from the crash site. Officers found him there consuming alcohol despite the early hour. He was detained while police searched the property.
Search reveals more Yaba and homemade guns
During the subsequent search, investigators seized 400 additional Yaba tablets. According to police, the packaging matched that of the drugs found at the accident site. Officers also discovered two homemade firearms. A records check showed that Wanich was already the subject of an arrest warrant issued by Pattaya Provincial Court in March 2025 for attempted murder, joint illegal possession of firearms and other weapons offences from an earlier case under the jurisdiction of Huay Yai police.
Admission of drug dealing plans
During questioning, Wanich admitted that the confiscated drugs belonged to him and that the motorcycle involved in the accident was also registered to him. He stated that the firearms had been left at his place by the deceased, who allegedly used them to hunt bats. According to his account, he and the crash victim had purchased a total of 600 Yaba tablets in three bags to resell them to small-scale dealers, after celebrating New Year’s Eve with alcohol.
Fatal trip to a customer
Wanich told police that the deceased had been on his way to deliver drugs to a customer when the crash occurred. When the man did not return, Wanich said he assumed his associate had fled with the motorcycle and the narcotics and therefore sent the text message, unaware that his friend was already dead.
“This New Year case shows how thin the line can be between a ‘small deal’ and a lifelong nightmare.”
said an editorial comment from the original report.
Multiple charges and ongoing investigation
The lead investigator, Police Colonel Sarawut Nuchanart of Banglamung police, brought charges against Wanich for possession of narcotics with intent to sell, illegal possession of firearms and the violent offences listed in the outstanding arrest warrant.
“The suspect remains in pre-trial detention, and investigators are continuing to trace supply routes and possible additional buyers of the drugs.”
said Police Colonel Sarawut Nuchanart, lead investigator.