Central Thailand: Pensioner turns himself in after fatal land dispute

A 68 year old Thai pensioner turned himself in to the police after fatally stabbing his neighbour over a long-standing land dispute in Kamphaeng Phet province.

The incident occurred outside their homes, and the suspect fled on foot for three days, covering 30 kilometres through forests to reach his daughter’s house before turning himself in.

The pensioner, Chamnong’s daughter, Aoy, explained that her father did not intend to run away but was in shock after the incident. She mentioned that Chamnong had been involved in an altercation with 32 year old Chaiya, who allegedly provoked him at his doorstep.

Chamnong claimed self-defence, stating that Chaiya, who appeared intoxicated, threatened him and initiated a physical confrontation.

“Chaiya was shouting insults and threatening to shoot me, so I acted in self-defence, fearing for my life.”

Chamnong further explained that after being attacked, he was forced to retaliate with a knife to protect himself, believing that Chaiya might be armed. The long-standing land dispute over boundaries had been a persistent issue, despite previous mediation efforts by local leaders. Chamnong expressed surprise that the conflict had escalated to such violence.

Victim’s family

Meanwhile, the victim’s family remains sceptical of Chamnong’s account and plans to oppose his bail application. They believe Chamnong’s actions were intentional rather than defensive. The family and villagers gathered at Wat Khlong Pla Soi, where Chaiya’s funeral is being held, awaiting further police investigation and hoping for justice.

Chaiya’s mother, Manee, conveyed her disbelief regarding the suspect’s claims of self-defence and non-escape. She urged the police to conduct a fair investigation and demanded that Chamnong apologise for the death of her son.

“I cannot accept that he claims not to have fled and was merely regrouping. It is not true. I want justice for my son.”

Chaiya’s wife, Khemintra, also questioned the self-defence narrative, stating that Chaiya was unarmed and that there were no signs of a struggle at the scene. She argued that the level of violence used was excessive and unnecessary.

“If it were truly self-defence, one stab wound would have sufficed.”

The deceased’s wife added that the land dispute originated from natural elevation differences that had not been altered, contrary to claims. According to her, Chamnong had previously taken soil from their property to fill his land. Concerned for her safety, Khemintra is determined to contest Chamnong’s bail, reported KhaoSod.

ORIGINAL STORY: Property boundary dispute in Kamphaeng Phet turns deadly

A dispute over property boundaries between neighbours in Kamphaeng Phet province ended in tragedy when a 32 year old man was fatally stabbed.

The confrontation occurred in front of a house on a street in Moo 7, Pang Tawai subdistrict, Pang Silathong district. The incident unfolded at approximately 9.50pm when police from the Pang Silathong Police Station received reports of a violent altercation resulting in a death.

Police arrived to find 32 year old Chaiya lying dead on the road, having suffered four stab wounds. The injuries were located beneath his left breast, on his neck, on both sides of his torso, and on his fingers. The scene was a painful tableau for his mother, who witnessed her son collapse and die in her arms after staggering home covered in blood.

Chaiya’s mother recounted the events leading up to the tragedy. She explained that her son had been embroiled in a heated argument with his neighbour, 68 year old Chamnong. The two families have long been at odds over a boundary dispute.

Tensions escalated as the argument turned into a shouting match with threats of physical violence. She intervened, urging her son to walk away, believing the situation had been defused. However, unbeknownst to her, the confrontation reignited, leading to the fatal stabbing.

“I only found out when I went to call my son’s wife back into the house,” she recounted. “I saw my son, bleeding, walking out to collapse and die in my arms on the road.”

She quickly alerted the police to the situation. Meanwhile, Chamnong fled the scene following the attack, reported KhaoSod.

The ongoing feud between the two families reportedly stems from a long-standing boundary dispute. The victim’s family had raised the level of their land, causing soil to spill over into Chamnong’s property, who then attempted to remove the earth from his land.

This conflict over land encroachment and property lines had been a contentious issue, simmering over time and leading to frequent verbal clashes.