Phuket karaoke killing: teen arrested

PHUKET: Phuket City Police have charged a young man with murder and issued an arrest warrant for his father, after the pair allegedly stabbed to death a Phuket man at a karaoke bar in Wichit on Sunday night.

A crowd of bar girls, patrons and other onlookers were standing outside the Chumporn Karaoke bar on the corner of Kwang and Chao Fa East roads when police arrived around 11:30pm.

The victim, 58-year-old Surasak Winijnantwat, had already been rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital by Phuket Ruamjai Kupai rescue foundation workers.

He suffered multiple stab wounds and was pronounced dead on arrival at Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Jathuphum ‘Ger’ Chokethawee, 18, was arrested Monday evening while getting his motorbike repaired at a shop near the old Phayathai Hospital.

He has thus far denied the charges, saying he was staying at the Saphan Ruam community on the east side of Phuket Town at the time of the incident, police said.

His father, whose name was given only as ‘Griangrai’, is still sought by police.

The violence began after Mr Surasak Winijnantwat taunted Mr Jathuphum and Mr Griangrai by referring to the young suspect as his “stepson” and telling the father-son pair to not “show off” to impress the karaoke hostesses, police said.

Mr Surasak had a relationship with Mr Jathuphum’s mother before the young man was born, investigation has revealed.

According to witnesses, Mr Surasak ran a motorcycle repair shop on Chao Fa East Road in Chalong and was a regular customer at the bar, police said.

“He came in frequently, liked to spend money and have a good time,” said one witness, who asked not to be named.

“He handed out tips pretty freely. When he came in, girls lined up to greet him. They called him Uncle ‘Sak’ the Handyman,” the witness said.

Mr Surasak had come in as usual Sunday night, sat down with a pretty girl at his side, and drank two bottles of Leo beer, the witness said.

The victim selected a few easy listening tunes from the jukebox and appeared to be content until Mr Jathuphum and Mr Griangrai entered the bar and sat at the next table, the source said.

“They came on the same motorbike, a silver Honda. One was easy to recall, he was older and walked with a limp,” he said.

The pair ordered beer and before long a quarrel erupted. “They were noisy, competing to sing the loudest, hoping to impress the girls,” the witness said.

Mr Surasak shouted at Mr Jathuphum, “You are my stepson. Remember your place and don’t show off,” the witness said.

Mr Surasak then called for his bill and walked out, heading for the nearby Nong Ying Karaoke Bar.

Witnesses said that the victim’s “sarcastic” attitude so enraged the men that they rose and followed the victim, stabbing him to death before he could enter Nong Ying Karaoke.

“We were completely taken aback. It happened right before our eyes; people in traffic – lots of them – saw what was happening.”

It is still unclear which of the two men stabbed Mr Surasak.

— P. Choksakulpan