In Krabi, police requested the court to issue an arrest warrant for a husband suspected of killing his wife, a female teacher, and staging it as an electric shock accident. The suspect denies the charges, while the deceased's relatives said that just seeing the body convinced them she had been abused physically.
On 19 Dec 2023 GMT+7, Pol. Lt. Col. Sophon Rakthao, Investigating Officer at Lam Thap Police Station in Krabi, requested court approval to issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Tuantep, 32, from Surat Thani Province, on charges of premeditated intentional homicide. He was taken into custody for interrogation and legal proceedings at Lam Thap Police Station, with the damaged electric wire as evidence.
The case began at 08:30 on 18 Dec 2023 GMT+7, when investigators at Lam Thap Police Station received a report from Lam Thap Hospital about a victim who died from electric shock while being transported there. Police and investigators went to the scene and identified the deceased as Ms. Jiraporn, 33, from Yan Ta Khao District, Trang Province, a teacher at a local school. The body showed burn marks above her lips and on her left wrist consistent with electric shock. The doctor preliminarily concluded death by electrocution.
At the hospital, investigators met Mr. Tuantep, the deceased's husband, who was waiting to give a statement. He stated the incident occurred inside the deceased's rented monthly room at a hotel in Village 5, Lam Thap Subdistrict. The husband and wife were together before the incident. Police inspected the room and found signs of a struggle, then took Mr. Tuantep for detailed questioning at Lam Thap Police Station.
Pol. Col. Jongrak Pimthong, Chief of Lam Thap Police Station, said initial investigations showed the husband admitted he lived in Surat Thani and came to visit the wife on 16 Dec 2023 GMT+7. On the morning of the incident, they argued after he was caught having an affair. Police found a damaged electric wire in the husband's belongings, which he claimed he had prepared to commit suicide due to conflicts with his wife. After the argument, he said he planned to return to work, but his wife would not let him leave and threatened self-harm. The husband said he threw the wire to his wife as a form of protest to end her life. After going to shower, he found her body motionless. He then carried her downstairs and called rescue services, but she died before reaching the hospital.
Police do not believe the husband's statement and interviewed Ms. Ketsara, the deceased's sister, who along with relatives, does not believe the death was a suicide. The body's condition suggests she was abused. Previously, the couple had conflicts due to the husband's infidelity and debts the wife had borrowed for him. Police compiled evidence and obtained the court's approval to arrest and detain the husband for prosecution. The husband continues to deny the charges. Police are confident the evidence is sufficient. The body was handed to the family for religious rites in Trang Province.
Ms. Ketsara said her sister and the husband had dated since school. They had ongoing problems after she caught him having another woman, causing continuous conflicts. The husband had asked for a divorce, claiming he needed to work, but they reconciled. On the day of the incident, the husband called to inform her that her sister was electrocuted. Initially, she thought it was an accident, but upon seeing the body, she believed it was abuse. Before dying, her sister messaged her saying she planned to return home that Saturday. She did not expect such an end. She urged police to pursue the case fully and ensure the person responsible is jailed to pay for their actions.