Thai teenager with ADHD stabs uncle to death in Phuket

A 15 year old Thai boy stabbed his 60 year old uncle to death last night in a rented room in the Thalang district of Phuket.

Officers from Thalang Police Station were alerted to the fatal stabbing incident at a rented room in the Thalang district of Phuket at about 7pm yesterday, May 27. The victim, 60 year old Somkiat Chanhom, was in critical condition with multiple stab wounds to his chest.

Medical workers from the Thalang Hospital rushed to provide first aid and transported Somkiat to the hospital for further treatment but he died on the way.

The murderer was identified as a 15 year old boy named Yoi who suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). People with ADHD can struggle with concentration and impulsive actions.

ThaiRath reported that Yoi lived with six family members in the rented room and frequently argued with his uncle, Somkiat.

Yoi’s grandmother, 54 year old Or, recounted that Yoi and Somkiat were arguing as usual, but Yoi seemed more aggressive this time. He threw his phone and grabbed two knives before walking to Somkiat’s bedroom.

Or tried to stop Yoi but he said he was willing to go to jail for murder. Or then implored Somkiat to secure his bedroom door for safety, yet Yoi forcibly kicked it open and proceeded to repeatedly stab him. Upon intervention by Or’s daughter, Yoi fled the scene but was swiftly apprehended nearby.

According to Or, Somkiat was like a father to Yoi, caring for him while often expressing grievances about his idleness and addiction to his phone. Or had intended to take Yoi to the hospital the following day due to his escalating aggressive behaviour and refusal to adhere to medication, but the tragic incident thwarted this plan.

Yoi has been charged under Section 290 of the Criminal Law for causing the death of another person through attack. The prescribed penalty ranges from three to 15 years of imprisonment, although variations may apply to individuals under the age of 20.