Celebrity murder suspect ‘Uncle Pol’ turns himself in to police

A suspected child murderer who was elevated to folk hero status by tabloid media turned himself in Wednesday morning at national police headquarters after an arrest warrant was issued in his name.

Chaipol Vipha, celebrated in over a year of breathless coverage as “Uncle Pol,” is behind bars in Bangkok after a Mukdahan provincial court approved his arrest last night as a suspect in the death of his 3-year-old niece.

The warrant listed three charges: abducting a minor, abandoning a child resulting in death and interfering with evidence.

National Police Chief Gen. Suwat Chaengyodsuk will hold a news conference later today. 

Chaipol’s rise to fame began soon after he was fingered by family members as the prime suspect in the death of his niece Orawan “Chompoo” Wongsricha in the northeastern province. 

Chompoo was found dead without her clothes in the woods 5…