Thai man suspected of killing his wife and staging her suicide

A Thai mother urged police to investigate the death of her daughter, suspecting her son-in-law of killing his wife and staging her suicide in a wooden hut on a rubber plantation in the Isaan province of Loei.

The 56 year old Thai woman, Hongruethai, told Mueang Loei Police Station and Channel 7 that her 26 year old daughter was found hanging by a nylon rope in a hut on the rubber plantation on Saturday, June 29.

Hongruethai revealed that she arranged a funeral for her daughter and scheduled her cremation. However, after discussing her daughter’s suicide with relatives, many suspected foul play. They pointed to a group of suspicious men, including her daughter’s husband, Bank.

Hongruethai explained that she suspected Bank because he only attended the funeral for two days and always left early. She asked Bank directly about his involvement in her daughter’s death. Bank denied any wrongdoing but displayed suspicious behaviour, according to Hongruethai.

Hongruethai said Bank’s face turned pale, his voice cracked, and his body would shake every time she asked about her daughter.

The woman’s daughter was found hanging from a crossbeam that was quite high. There were no chairs or tables that her daughter could have used to climb up and hang herself, making her suicide seem impossible to her and other relatives.

The condition of her body did not match the characteristics of people who hang themselves. Moreover, she had a five month old daughter whom she loved and cared for deeply, so there was no reason for her to take her own life.

The deceased woman’s ex-husband, 70 year old Sahaporn, also suspected Bank and his friends. Sahaporn told Channel 7 that he had been in a relationship with her for five years before they divorced. As he knew her well, he did not believe that his ex-wife would commit suicide.

Sahaporn speculated that his ex-wife might have discovered a secret about her husband and his friend, so they killed her to keep it hidden. He believed the gang may have also sexually assaulted her before the murder. He suspected that at least three suspects were involved in the crime.

Hongruethai decided to cancel the cremation and urged the police to transfer her daughter’s body to Loei Hospital for an autopsy. The cause of death is currently under investigation.

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.