Phuket gardener stabs boss to death on motorbike

KOH KEAW, PHUKET: A gardener stabbed his boss to death in broad daylight as the pair were riding a salaeng (motorbike with an illegal sidecar) down Thepkrasattri Road yesterday afternoon.

Around 5pm, police officers investigating what was causing a half-a-kilometer long tailback on the road arrived at the scene outside the TT&T office in Koh Keaw.

Just as they arrived they saw 28-year-old Suthep Piakamnet slitting the throat of his employer, as yet identified only as “Mr Laem”.

Sgt Somphon Thongkham and Sgt Chalit Ngiapsangat fired warning shots into the air to make Mr Suthep lay down his knife before moving in to arrest him.

The officers called the Kusoldharm Rescue Foundation to take Mr Laem to hospital, but he was dead by the time the volunteers arrived. Mr Laem was carrying no identification.

Mr Suthep knew only his nickname, that he was from Yala, and that he was in his early thirties.

The crime was reported to Phuket City Police Duty Officer Suphachai Petchsakul who rushed to the scene together with Police Superintendent Wanchai Ekpornpit, Inspector Wijak “The Magnet” Tarom, and Inspector Prawit Sutthireuangarun.

Mr Suthep was reportedly extremely intoxicated and unable to speak clearly, police said.

However, he admitted that he stabbed Mr Laem in a fit of rage after the victim insulted him all the way from Thalang, where they had been drinking together.

Mr Suthep and Mr Laem worked for a gardening company, he said.

Mr Laem, who was his supervisor, always spoke very harshly and often insulted him. Despite this, they often drank together after work.

After finishing their drinks in Thalang, Mr Laem suggested they continue the session in Phuket City, Mr Suthep said.

Mr Laem drove the motorbike, with Mr Suthep in the sidecar.

Mr Suthep became very angry, drew his knife and stabbed Mr Laem about five times in the head and neck before slitting his throat.

Mr Suthep would be questioned again when he had sobered up, but is likely to be charged with murder, police said.

The story was covered by multiple media sources, none of which mentioned if the stabbing caused the motorbike to crash – although images of the vehicle showed the vehicle was still intact.

— Khao Sod