On Koh Samui, is Korn, the 'Fearless Chao Pho', Trying to Cover Up the Slain Taxi Driver Case?

Following the assassination of a taxi driver on Koh Samui, conflicting accounts quickly gave rise to suspicions of corruption. Korn, an influential public figure who describes himself as a 'Fearless Chao Pho', is downplaying the facts despite damning public video footage. Terrified, the widow and her baby fled the island urgently.

The tragedy occurred on 24 May 2026 at Hat Chaweng on Koh Samui. A taxi driver, a former volunteer in the Royal Thai Army (RTA), was violently beaten and then shot at point-blank range by a gang of black-plated taxis, accusing the victim of encroaching on their territory.

The authorities had initially claimed that only one individual was involved and that all CCTV cameras were out of service. Yet a video filmed by tourists and released publicly shows a collective assault, clearly contradicting the police version.

These conflicting accounts fuel suspicions of potential corruption within the local authorities.

Now it is Tinnakorn Poolsawad, alias Korn, a well-known public figure and brother of the first deputy mayor, who is attempting to suppress this affair that casts a poor light on the island. “The Fearless Chao Pho is minimising what happened on social media, even though the video has been made public.”

It is important to recall that a cousin of Tinnakorn is directly involved in tourist transport on Koh Samui in these same taxis via the NaviGo app, indicating a possible family link with the activities carried out by the murderers.

UPDATE: To be precise for our Thai friends: Although they have worked in the same sector, at this stage no past or present link has been identified. Facebook comments also indicate that the NaviGo service has now been deactivated.

The widow and baby of the slain driver, terrified, left the island urgently for fear of reprisals.

This raises the question of whether the Thai army “Royal Thai Army” will itself act to put an end to these mafia-style behaviours from certain well-known locals, which are plaguing Koh Samui and particularly the Chaweng area.

In the ZoneSamui.com comments on this post, “Korn” intervened for the first time with a few messages (translation):

“I am Tinnakorn. I know what you are saying, but it is false. It is not true. Thanks to the Samui mafia.”

Note: This article is based on public information already published. The facts reported do not imply definitive judicial guilt.