Five arrests in teen-stabbing case

PHUKET CITY: Five youths were arrested on Saturday for the murder of 14-year-old Theeraphong Thongklam, who died after being stabbed in the heart in the early hours of last Wednesday.

Theerapong’s friend, who was riding pillion when their bike on crashed about 1 am on the night of the murder, told police that he and Theerapong were driving to Thalang when Theerapong “teased” the girlfriend of one of the gang members.

The gang set upon the Theerapong, who sustained a single stab wound to the chest and further injuries when he lost control of the bike at the intersection of Montri Rd and Phang Nga Rd in Phuket City (click here for original story).

Pol Sub Lt Jakrapong Suchol of the Phuket City Police told the Gazette that the subsequent investigation uncovered enough evidence to have requests for seven arrest warrants granted by Phuket Provincial Court.

Five of the gang members were rounded up from different parts of the city on Saturday. Two others are believed to have gone into hiding in other provinces in the South, he said.

Of the five in custody, three are 18 years old and two are minors. Police believe that Panupong Saetae, 18, was responsible for the stabbing, Sub Lt Jakrapong said.

Most of the seven gang members have criminal records, including illegal possession of firearms and convictions on drug-related charges, he added.

The five suspects remain in custody at Phuket City Police Station, where they face further questioning, Sub Lt Jakrapong said.