Thai man kills girlfriend and relative during blessing ritual in Kalasin
A Thai man stabbed and killed his girlfriend and a neighbour during a blessing ritual in Kalasin on Monday night, March 30, despite no prior conflict. No signs of mental illness or intoxicants were found in his system.
Channel 7 reported the incident happened at night in the Ban Non Thiang community during a blessing ceremony held for the suspect, 25 year old Chonlachart. Police were called to the scene and found him being restrained by relatives and neighbours.
Officers said Chonlachart appeared mentally unstable, rambling and repeating himself. Police took him to hospital for a medical examination.
The victims were his girlfriend, 20 year old Fonluang, and their neighbour, 44 year old Chomchalao. Relatives told police that Chonlachart and Fonluang had respected Chomchalao as a family member.
Fonluang was stabbed in the back, with the knife reportedly piercing her lung and leaving her in critical condition. Chomchalao sustained multiple stab wounds to her neck and body. Both were hospitalised but later died from their injuries.
Relatives told police Chonlachart had previously worked as a mor lam singer and had been friendly and cheerful, but had recently changed. They said he became depressed and appeared panicked, claiming someone would hurt or kill him.
They said the family arranged the blessing ceremony in an attempt to lift his spirits and to ward off evil spirits from his soul.
According to the account given to police, relatives took turns tying a sacred thread around Chonlachart’s wrist as part of the ritual. When it was Chomchalao’s turn, Chonlachart became enraged and attacked her. He then turned to Fonluang, who was sitting nearby, and stabbed her in the back.
Police told the media that a drug test and mental health assessment were carried out, but no abnormalities were found.
Officers said he used cannabis and kratom drinks daily, but they did not confirm whether heavy use of marijuana contributed to the violence.
Chonlachart was charged under Section 290 of the Criminal Law for physical assault causing death, which carries a penalty of three to 15 years in prison.
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