Angry mob prevents suspected hired assassin from reenacting Phuket stabbing

PHUKET: An angry mob of villagers yesterday prevented police from carrying out a full reenactment of the stabbing murder of a woman by a suspected hired assassin in Phuket earlier this year.

“Chatchai Torkeaw, 25, was apprehended on Saturday after he successfully evaded arrest for almost six months,” Thalang Police Superintendent Sirisak Wasasiri told the Phuket Gazette.

He was arrested for the slaying of 42-year-old Nongluk Thavorn, who was found in her garden screaming for help on May 29 with a knife still lodged in her head. She died as neighbors were rushing her to Thalang Hospital (story here).

Thalang Police officers transported Mr Chatchai to the scene of the crime yesterday so he could reenact the murder, escape and disposal of evidence.

However, as officers approached Ms Nongluk’s house, they chose not to remove Mr Chatchai from the guarded police vehicle, as a mob of angry family members and neighbors had gathered near the scene.

“We were afraid of what the group would do. It is our responsibility to protect him,” said Col Sirisak.

“There is only one way in and one way out of the house. We knew that it would be too dangerous to take Mr Chatchai out of the car.”

Mr Chatchai was able to reenact the disposal of evidence, but police had to revisit the crime scene without him.

Mr Chatchai has since confessed to stabbing Ms Nongluk, and is being held at Thalang Police Station, confirmed Col Sirisak.

“We have reason to believe that a third party is involved and that Mr Chatchai was hired to carry out the murder,” Col Sirisak said. “This case is not closed.”

Col Sirisak said that police would not give up the hunt for the other suspect, who they believe is in hiding.

— Thawit Bilabdullar