Mother, daughter charged over acid attack

KAMALA: A mother and daughter have been charged with throwing acid on a young woman on June 8. Police believe the attack was inspired by jealousy, after the pair learned the woman was having an affair with the mother’s husband.

Investigation Inspector Pol Lt Col Monsak Srisuwan told the Gazette that one of the young woman’s neighbors called Kamala Police about 5 pm to report people fighting at a home at Baan Hua Kuan in Kamala.

Lt Col Monsak and fellow officers arrived to find Bang-Orn Hempo, 23, rolling on the floor crying in pain from acid being thrown on her.

Her clothes and belongings were strewn around the room; scorch marks on the ceramic tile floor demonstrated the caustic effect of the liquid used in the attack.

Bang-Orn was rushed to Patong Hospital, where she was treated for severe burns to her arms and chest and minor burns to her neck and face.

She was later transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Police investigation revealed that two other women were also treated for acid burns at Patong Hospital not long after the attack was reported. They were arrested later that night while riding a motorcycle in Cherngtalay.

“They are Mayuree Damsuk, 37, and Chutima Damsuk, 16, the wife and daughter of Patchavuth Damsuk, 37,” Lt Col Monsak said.

“The two suspects have confessed to the charges. The motive was jealousy, as Mayuree’s husband had been having a secret affair with Bang-Orn for two years.

“We have a bottle of the same acid that they used. It is much stronger than rubber acid [commonly used in such attacks],” he added.

Mayuree and Chutima were charged with causing bodily harm and trespassing on private property, Lt Col Monsak said.

“We will continue our investigation, but we must wait until Bang-Orn is feeling better before questioning her,” he said.