Thai man fatally stabs grocery store owner for refusing alcohol on credit
Suspect confesses after CCTV exposes crime scene escape
Police arrested a former security guard for fatally stabbing an elderly grocery store owner in Samut Prakan province near Bangkok after she refused to let him take alcohol on credit.
A customer stumbled upon the crime scene while visiting the grocery store in Soi Jong Siri, Bang Pli district, Samut Prakan, yesterday, September 1. The 73 year old owner, Boonnam Saengmanee, was found lying on the ground with multiple stab wounds across her body.
The customer immediately alerted officers from Bang Pli Police Station. Officers reported that Boonnam sustained 13 stab wounds, and a kitchen knife used in the fatal attack was found near her body.
Security camera footage from outside the grocery store showed a man suspiciously leaving Boonnam’s shop. Shortly afterwards, another customer entered and ran out in shock upon discovering the victim.
Boonnam’s granddaughter, 47 year old Chanita Lertamornchok, told 77 Kaoded news agency that she checked the store’s valuables and found 2,000 baht in cash missing. She believed the assailant killed her grandmother to steal the money.
Investigators identified the suspect as 57 year old Napakorn Yangnok, a former community security guard. Police questioned him at his home, but Napakorn initially denied involvement.
Officers, unconvinced, took him to the police station for further questioning. Though he continued to deny the accusations, he eventually confessed when confronted with the evidence.
Napakorn told police he had visited the shop twice that day to buy alcohol. He asked to take the liquor on credit, but Boonnam refused, saying he had not yet paid for a previous order.
Napakorn insisted he had already settled his debts, which led to a heated argument. He left the shop and returned with a knife, stabbing Boonnam repeatedly when her back was turned. He claimed he could not remember how many times he stabbed her.
After the attack, Napakorn admitted to taking two bottles of alcohol from the shop but denied stealing any money. He told police he was drunk at the time of the murder and was addicted to alcohol, suffering from withdrawal symptoms.
Napakorn faces two charges:
- Section 288 of the Criminal Code: Intentional murder, punishable by death, life imprisonment, or 15 to 20 years’ imprisonment.
- Section 8 of the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks and Imitation Firearms Act: Carrying a firearm in a public place without permission or necessity, punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.
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