Thai husband shoots wife dead after alleged affair with tomboy
A Thai man in the Isaan province of Roi Et shot his wife dead in front of their son and the wife’s tomboy friend after suspecting his wife of having an affair with the tomboy.
Police arrested the 49 year old Thai man, Boonlai, in the Nikhom Kham Soi district of Mukdahan yesterday, December 17, for the murder of his wife, 49 year old Phitchaya, which was allegedly motivated by jealousy. The murder occurred at the house of Phitchaya’s alleged tomboy lover, identified as Maneerat, in Roi Et.
Boonlai told police that he, Phitchaya, and Maneerat attended a concert together on December 15. However, he and his wife did not return home together as Phitchaya wanted to drop Maneerat off at her house. Boonlai said he allowed her to take care of her friend and returned home alone.
Phitchaya, however, did not return home after dropping her tomboy friend off. She stayed at Maneerat’s house until the afternoon of the following day, December 16. Boonlai said he called her multiple times, asking her to come home but she continued to delay.
Boonlai stated that he eventually went to Maneerat’s home with his son to confront Phitchaya. He asked her face-to-face whether she would return home with him but she refused. Boonlai claimed he could no longer contain himself and pulled out a gun, shooting Phitchaya twice in the head at close range.
The shooting occurred in front of their son and Maneerat. Boonlai left his son, who was crying uncontrollably from the traumatic incident, at the scene and fled alone to Mukdahan province. He left his gun behind at the scene of the crime.
Maneerat later gave an interview to Amarin TV, saying she was still in shock. She insisted that she and Phitchaya were only friends and did not have any romantic feelings or relationship as Boonlai believed.
Maneerat revealed that Boonlai had never approached her about his suspicions, nor had she ever witnessed the couple arguing over her before.
Boonlai, however, maintained his belief that there was a romantic relationship between his wife and the tomboy, claiming he saw them having romantic conversations online. He added that the two often took pictures and videos together, something his wife never did with him.
Boonlai refused to speak to the media while being escorted to detention. He was seen smiling at times, despite having tears in his eyes. He only addressed Maneerat through the media.
“I want Maneerat to take responsibility for my two sons.”
Although he did not clarify his statement, it is believed that Boonlai wanted Maneerat to care for his children while he served his sentence in prison.
Phitchaya’s mother expressed satisfaction that Boonlai admitted to his crime. She noted that Boonlai loved her daughter deeply and always took good care of the family. She also admitted she was unaware of the exact nature of the relationship between Phitchaya and the tomboy.
