Pattaya Beach stabbing: Suspect caught, drugs found, police investigate
In the early hours of this morning Police Lieutenant Chaowalit Suwanmanee, Deputy Chief of Investigation at Pattaya City Police Station, responded to a report of a violent altercation at Pattaya Beach, near Soi 10. Police and rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya City rushed to the scene at 1.06am, today, February 13.
Upon their arrival, they encountered numerous Thai and foreign tourists who were present to socialise, as many entertainment venues had been closed for an important Buddhist holiday. Although some venues reopened at midnight, the majority remained closed.
Among the shocked onlookers was 33 year old Jakkrit Phimngern, who had sustained stab wounds to his neck and right arm. Rescue personnel administered first aid before transporting him to a local hospital for further treatment.
The primary suspect attempted to escape but was soon apprehended by police in Soi 10, a short distance from the incident. He identified himself as a beach mat vendor.
According to his account, the injured group had rented a beach mat from him to celebrate a birthday. A disagreement over an unspecified issue led to an exchange of insults, which escalated into a physical confrontation. Jakkrit reportedly grabbed the suspect’s neck, prompting the suspect to retaliate and flee after the stabbing.
A witness corroborated the account of the altercation, having observed the two groups arguing and fighting before one party fled into Soi 10. Police, with assistance from the witness, pursued and located the suspect hiding in a corner of a building.
During the search, officers discovered a packet of crystal meth on the ground, which they collected as evidence. However, the weapon used in the attack was not recovered.
A friend of the injured man, 31 year old Bee, who was also the suspect’s former employer, explained that he had organised the birthday celebration and rented the mat from the suspect. He suggested that the suspect might have been hallucinating due to drug use, mistakenly believing the group was gossiping and cursing at him, leading to a violent confrontation.
Pol. Lt. Chaowalit subsequently took the suspect, identified as 34 year old Prayot Rotmuang, also known as Yok, for a drug test. The test confirmed the presence of drugs in his system, reported The Pattaya News.
Prayot admitted to using crystal meth but denied using a knife to attack Jakkrit. Police are currently examining CCTV footage to gather additional evidence and progress the investigation.
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