Phuket man stabs relative over a bottle of whiskey

PHUKET: A 19-year-old man wanted for stabbing a relative late last night over 500 baht to buy a bottle of whiskey is expected to surrender to police tomorrow, the Phuket Gazette was told today.

When Thalang Police arrived at the house near the Heroines’ Monument about 30 minutes past midnight, the stabbing suspect had fled the scene. His relative, however, was still there, seriously injured.

“We saw residents gathered around Boonfak Kanlayapan, 24, who was on the ground trying to hold his intestines in,” said Lt Narongrit Malavejun of the Thalang Police.

Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers rushed Mr Boonfak to Thalang Hospital, where he underwent an emergency operation.

“He is recovering well. He is conscious and able to speak, but his injuries are still serious. We are monitoring his condition,” a staffer at the hospital told the Gazette.

Mr Boonfak’s mother, Wan Boonrodmuang, 49, told police that her son was stabbed during a fight with “Kheow” Nontijun.

“Boonfak and I were sitting in front of our house when Kheow came by and asked for money to buy whiskey,” she said, adding that Kheow is a grandson of her current partner, who is not Boonfak’s father.

“I said no because Kheow had borrowed 500 baht before, but never paid it back.”

Soon after, Mr Boonfak and Kheow started fighting.

“I tried to stop them, but couldn’t,” said Ms Wan. “Then Kheow pulled out a knife and stabbed Boonfak and then ran away.”

Lt Narongrit told the Gazette that Mr Kheow called Thalang Police Station today and agreed to surrender tomorrow.

Police have yet to determine what charges, if any, Mr Kheow will face, he added.

“We will figure that out after we hear his version of events,” Lt Narongrit said.

— Thawit Bilabdullar