Thai man arrested for murder commits suicide in police custody
Officers assure safety protocols after detention tragedy
A Thai man committed suicide while in police custody after being arrested for the murder of his girlfriend in a rented room in the central province of Chanthaburi.
The victim’s younger sister, 22 year old Suphitchama Thatchaiyaphum, filed a missing person report at Na Yai Am Police Station on April 27, stating that her sister, 30 year old Anyika Sonsert, had not been in contact for several days.
Police launched an investigation into Anyika’s disappearance and discovered she was in a relationship with a 31 year old man, Chaithawat Sa-art. Anyika had rented a room in the Na Yai Am district of Chanthaburi, where she and Chaithawat were staying together.
CCTV footage from the accommodation showed the couple engaged in a heated argument outside her room on April 24. Chaithawat was later seen leaving alone on Anyika’s motorcycle and returned briefly to lock the room from the outside.
Officers visited the room on Monday, April 28, and discovered Anyika’s lifeless body on the bed. The air conditioning was left on, which prevented any noticeable odour from escaping the room.
Chaithawat was identified as the primary suspect and was arrested later that day at a friend’s house in the eastern province of Trat. He was subsequently taken into custody at Na Yai Am Police Station for interrogation.
Chaithawat confessed to killing Anyika but claimed the act was not premeditated. He told officers the fatal altercation stemmed from an argument over jealousy after he discovered that Anyika communicated with several men online.
On the following day, April 29, police reported to news agencies that Chaithawat died in his detention cell. He had hanged himself using a rope from his sports shorts.
Police asserted that Chaithawat was thoroughly searched before entering the cell and that he was not found in possession of any rope or tools that could be used for self-harm. However, officers admitted they failed to detect the rope hidden within his shorts.
Chaithawat’s uncle later arrived at the police station to collect his body for the funeral. He told the media that both of Chaithawat’s parents had passed away and that he was the deceased’s only remaining relative.
He also revealed that Chaithawat had a history of drug use but claimed to know little about his relationship with Anyika.
If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help.
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