20-12-2023 (BANGKOK) Chaiphol Wipha, popularly known as “Uncle Phol” on social media, faced the Mukdahan provincial court’s verdict on Wednesday, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence. The case revolved around the tragic death of 3-year-old Orawan “Nong Chompoo” Wongsricha on a mountain in Mukdahan three years ago.
The court found Chaiphol guilty of recklessness causing death and depriving a child aged below 15 years of parental care. His wife, also charged in the case, was acquitted. Despite the conviction, Chaiphol’s lawyer expressed the intention to appeal the judgement within 30 days. Following the court proceedings, Chaiphol was released on bail with a block of land in Amnat Charoen province valued at 780,000 baht as surety.
In a press conference with his lawyer, Chaiphol expressed gratitude to his supporters, respecting the court’s decision and leaving the next steps to his legal team.
Chaiphol, 47, became the first defendant in a lawsuit filed by the deceased girl’s parents, Anamai and Sawittree Wongsricha, along with public prosecutors. His wife, Somporn Lappho, 45, the victim’s aunt, was the second defendant.
The couple faced charges including murder, depriving a child of parental care, abandoning a child under nine years causing her death, and tampering with a body to influence an autopsy and police investigators. While Chaiphol was convicted on charges of recklessness causing death and depriving parental care, the court dismissed the other accusations.
The court also acquitted Ms Somporn of all charges, ordering compensation to be paid to the parents of the deceased girl.
Nong Chompoo went missing from her home in Kok Kork village in Dong Luang district of Mukdahan on May 11, 2020. She was later found dead on a mountain in Phu Pha Yon National Park, about 2 kilometres from her home.
Investigators reported that witnesses saw Chaiphol in the vicinity, leading to a search of his pickup truck, where evidence including 16 strands of hair cut with a sharp blade was discovered. One of the hairs matched those from the deceased girl.
Despite Chaiphol’s claims of innocence, investigators believed he took the girl to the mountain. The lengthy investigation resulted in court warrants for the arrest of the couple.
The case garnered widespread media attention, with two TV channels treating it as a reality show, providing daily updates for months. Chaiphol, a rubber tapper and hired hand, gained notoriety, briefly featuring in the show and receiving significant donations. Despite the conviction, he consistently maintained his innocence and even continued to be a presenter of products and collaborated with popular Luk Thung and Mor Lam singer Jintara Poomlarp.
The couple had their own YouTube channel, “Lung Phol-Pa Taen Family” (Uncle Phol and Pa Taen), boasting over 358,000 followers.
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