Man killed in Karon sword attack
Police said a 48-year-old Karon resident died after a sword attack outside a house on Patak Road, and a 37-year-old homeowner surrendered at the scene and was charged.
A 48-year-old man died after he was attacked with a sword outside a house at 34/10 Patak Road in Karon in the early hours of June 4, police said.
Police in Karon said they were notified at about 2.30 a.m. of an assault that left a man seriously injured in front of a residence in tambon Karon, Mueang district, Phuket. Officers arrived to find local resident Sorachai Prateep Na Thalang, 48, known as "Ae", lying in a pool of blood with multiple slash wounds across his body. Rescue workers gave first aid before taking him to Chalong Hospital.
Investigators later learned from hospital staff that Sorachai had died from his injuries. His body was then sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The homeowner, identified by police as Suphakit Thaweeras, 37, waited for officers at the scene, surrendered and allegedly admitted attacking Sorachai with a sword. He handed the weapon to investigators as evidence and was taken to Karon Police Station for legal proceedings.
According to Pol Lt Col Charas Lempapan, the investigating officer at Karon Police Station, the case stemmed from an earlier dispute during a drinking session at a restaurant near Rawai Beach. Police said Sorachai had been drinking alone at home before Kritsada Mukthiep, 38, called and invited him to drink with friends at the restaurant. Suphakit later rode a motorcycle there and drank with the group.
During the gathering, an altercation broke out near the restaurant bathroom. Police said Sorachai grabbed Suphakit by the neck, leaving him angry and prompting him to return home.
Police said Sorachai and another friend later drove to Suphakit's house, parked outside and shouted for him to come out and talk, waking his wife and child. A heated argument followed, and Sorachai and his companion allegedly assaulted Suphakit despite attempts by family members to stop the confrontation.
Suphakit then went back into the house, police said, but Sorachai followed him inside to continue the dispute. With Suphakit's wife standing in the way while carrying a young child, investigators allege Suphakit armed himself with a sword, chased Sorachai and the others from the property and attacked them.
Another injured man, 37-year-old Praphat Saobai, a neighbour of Suphakit who tried to intervene, suffered a wound to his right heel.
Police said Suphakit was initially charged with causing bodily harm resulting in death. Forensic officers later examined the sword and returned to the scene yesterday afternoon to collect additional evidence, including blood traces and other material relevant to the investigation, as police prepared evidence for prosecution through the courts.
