Once idolized as a hero, the man known to millions as Uncle Pol of Ban Kokkork fell into disgrace this year when he was sentenced to 20 years in jail over the death of his three-year-old niece.
On December 20, the Criminal Court in Mukdahan convicted Chaipol Wipha (Uncle Pol) of negligence leading to the death of Orawan “Nong Chompoo” Wongsricha.
Although the 47-year-old continues to insist he is innocent and has secured bail pending an appeal, the fame and admiration he enjoyed for a couple of years has now turned to infamy.
Controversial ride to fame
Chaipol’s rollercoaster ride to fame began in 2020 after his niece went missing from her village in the Northeast province of Mukdahan and was later found dead in a remote forest. Chaipol first hit the headlines when he was accused of murdering the young girl. But he was by no means the only suspect in the village of Ban…
