Thai mother hires gunman for murder of her drug addicted son

A Thai mother surrendered herself to the police and confessed to hiring a gunman for the murder of her drug addicted son in a house in the Isaan province of Loei.

The death of a 31 year old Thai man, Weeraphan Phothong, was reported to the Chiang Khan Police Station officers on Thursday, November 9 at about 9am. Weeraphan was shot dead in his home in the Chiang Khan district of the Loei province.

Weeraphan’s 57 year old mother, Kaew Phothong, initially reported to the police that she lived about 2 kilometres away and was unaware of the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. She learned about his death through a neighbour.

Kaew further disclosed that her son battled addiction to methamphetamine, commonly known as Yaba, and often subjected her to physical assault when under the influence of the drug.

According to Kaew, the substance abuse had led to her son’s mental health deterioration, despite her efforts to seek treatment on multiple occasions.

Expressing a lack of knowledge regarding the motive behind the shooting, Kaew asserted her disinterest in uncovering it. Additionally, she expressed her reluctance towards any investigation into her son’s death.

Mother’s confession

Kaew later turned herself into the police at 2pm on Saturday, November 11 and confessed to planning her son’s murder. Kaew explained that she could not stand the physical assaults any longer and consulted her older sister, 65 year old Sarn Phothong, about planning the murder.

To help her sister, Sarn hired a gunman, 64 year old Somsa Saenchaiwut, for 25,000 baht to shoot and kill Weeraphan at his home.

Kaew stated that she, Sarn, and the gunman regretted what they had done and decided to surrender themselves to the police.

Weeraphan’s ex-wife, 26 year old Jaruphat Singchum, told ThaiRath that she was in a relationship with him for about six years and they shared two children. She decided to divorce him last year because she suffered physical abuse, like Kaew.

According to Jatuphat, Kaew moved several times to escape her son. Her son demanded money from her and attacked her when he did not get it. The most violent attack left Kaew with a serious injury to her chin.

Jaruphat said she bore witness to several assaults Weeraphan had done to his mother. She was sorry for his death but understood her mother-in-law.