A sergeant major was viciously stabbed more than 18 times by a neighbor with a history of drug abuse. Prachinburi City Police are urgently tracking down the suspect to prosecute him.
At 07:00 on 1 Jan 2025 GMT+7, Sub-Lieutenant Natthaphon Yodkhrua, an investigator at Prachinburi City Police Station, was notified of a fatal stabbing incident involving a male victim in a village in Moo 7, Khok Mai Lai Subdistrict, Mueang Prachinburi District. Upon receiving the report, he proceeded to the scene with Police Colonel Supharerk Yuprai, Chief of Prachinburi City Police Station, and the investigation team.
At the scene inside the village alley, the victim’s body was found lying on the road face-up, wearing black sweatpants, a long-sleeve T-shirt, and white sneakers, lying beside a tricycle bicycle. Examination revealed 18 stab wounds on the body, including a nearly severed neck wound, with the body lying in a pool of blood. The deceased was identified as Sergeant Major Amnat Thongthaem, 52, residing at 197/5 Moo 7, Khok Mai Lai Subdistrict, Mueang Prachinburi District, who served at Chakrapong Camp Hospital.
Later, the victim’s son, a corporal serving at the border in Sa Kaeo Province, learned of his father’s death and returned to the scene. He then went to the family home and met his mother, who told him: “I’m sorry I couldn’t help your father.”
After the medical examiner completed the autopsy, rescue personnel transferred the body to Chaophraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital for a further post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
The suspect was identified as Phanuwat Kittithanawaragul, 39, residing at 20/3 Moo 6, Khok Mai Lai Subdistrict, Mueang Prachinburi District. His home is directly opposite the victim’s house. After the attack, he walked out to the alley entrance and fled on a motorcycle. The investigation team is pursuing his arrest, aided by CCTV footage capturing the incident.
Investigation revealed that before the attack, the victim had been cycling for exercise and was returning home when about 30 meters from his house, Phanuwat, who lives opposite, confronted him. After an exchange of words, Phanuwat slashed the victim’s neck with a knife and stabbed him multiple times, causing Sergeant Major Amnat to fall from his bicycle and die.
Phanuwat is known for drug abuse and violent behavior. He had been arrested several times but released. Family members living in the same house could no longer tolerate his behavior and moved out to another house, leaving Phanuwat alone in the original residence out of fear for their safety.
Ms. Sailarin, 44, the suspect’s sister, said she didn’t know exactly what happened but heard noises and came out to see. She saw the victim cycling home but missed the actual attack. She only saw the suspect walking away holding a knife. The victim was stabbed multiple times in the chest, neck, and other parts of the body. She did not know the exact cause but was aware they had conflicts. She had warned others not to get involved with him, but no one listened. The suspect had no job and likely was intoxicated, as there was a New Year’s party the night before.
The victim’s wife said their houses are opposite each other. She was watching TV and looked outside, thinking the suspect was looking at her. She did not expect him to do this, believing he thought she was watching him. He mentioned that their son had gone on duty. She was waiting for their son and hadn’t closed the door.
Ms. Orapan, 58, the homeowner where the incident occurred and a witness, said the victim was cycling and taking his cat for exercise, heading home when the suspect came out. She saw him holding a knife, so she got off her bicycle. The suspect shouted obscenities, claiming the area belonged to him, then repeatedly stabbed the victim. Even after he fell, the suspect continued stabbing him. The victim did not die immediately and cried out in pain. The attacker is known as a troublemaker with a drug abuse history, previously arrested but released. People in the alley are fed up with him.