The case of 3-year-old Nong Chompoo, who was found dead on a Mukdahan mountain six years ago, will be the subject of the first true-crime documentary by Netflix Thailand, with her uncle-in-law, the convicted killer, making an unexpected onscreen appearance.
Netflix Thailand unveiled its 2026 programme lineup on Friday night, closing with a documentary titled Chompoo: Lost & Forgotten.
What surprised the audience most was the screen appearance of Chaiphol “Uncle Phol” Wipha. His interview footage was believed to have been filmed before the Court of Appeal sentenced him to 26 years in jail in August last year for the death of Orawan “Nong Chompoo” Wongsricha in the northeastern province in 2020.
He is appealing the ruling to the Supreme Court, which has denied his bail request.
The toddler disappeared from her home in Kok Kork village in Dong Luang district of Mukdahan on May 11, 2020. She was found dead three days later on Phu Lek Fai mountain in Phu Pha Yon national park, about two kilometres from her home.
The Court of Appeal found Uncle Phol guilty of premeditated murder, child abduction and concealing a body.
The appeal court upheld the lower court’s acquittal of Chaiphol’s wife, Somporn “Pa Taen” Lappho, the sister of Nong Chompoo’s mother.
‘What makes a suspect turn into a celebrity?’When Nong Chompoo vanished from her remote village, the police investigation quickly became a national spectacle. Overnight, the accused was thrust into the spotlight.
Uncle Phol consistently insisted on his innocence, and many who followed the case believed him, particularly his tearful TV interviews.
At one point, he became a minor celebrity, hired as a product presenter and featured in a music video by a famous Isan folk singer. He and Pa Taen reportedly received large donations from their “fans” and ran a YouTube channel with more than 350,000 followers.
“The film traces how a criminal investigation became a cultural spectacle and examines the forces that propelled it,” Netflix said.
Co-produced by Singapore-based Beach House Pictures and Thai Film Works, the documentary will also feature Trynh Phoraksa, a well-known criminologist specialising in psychology and criminal behaviour.
The 2026 content lineup, it said, reflects both evolving viewer behaviour and the growth of Thailand’s creative sector. Last year, more than 90% of Netflix viewers in Thailand chose to watch Thai content, underscoring its popularity, Netflix Thailand said.