Phuket teenager confesses to slaying stepfather with axe

PHUKET: A 15-year-old boy who confessed to murdering his stepfather with an axe told police yesterday that the attack was motivated by the man’s abusive behavior to his mother.

The murder was reported to Chalong Police at 9:30pm on Tuesday.

Arriving at the scene, a modest home near the Baan Maneekram housing estate on Kwang Road, police found the body of 42-year-old Prayoon Pothi under a mosquito net next to his bed.

His 32-year-old wife Panta Kamwong was crying next to the body of her late husband, who sustained two deep gashes to the head.

Mrs Panta told police that her husband, originally from Udon Thani province, worked as a night watchman at a rubber plantation in the area.

Lt Col Boonlert Onklang of the Chalong Police told the Phuket Gazette on Tuesday that a friend became suspicious when Mr Prayoon failed to answer a phone call earlier that day.

The friend tried to call Mrs Panta, but her phone was switched off. Worried that something was amiss he went to the family’s home.

When he discovered that his friend had been killed, he immediately contacted police, Col Boonlert said.

After Forensic Police collected evidence, Phuket Ruamjai Kupai workers transported the body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for examination and storage until funeral arrangements could be made.

The following day, Col Wanchai Palawan, who heads the Phuket Provincial Police investigations division, told the press he called in Mrs Panta and her two children for questioning.

Under questioning, Mrs Panta’s 15-year-old son confessed to the killing.

“He told us that he didn’t like that Mr Prayoon, his stepfather, was constantly beating his mother. He said he made the decision to kill him in his sleep,” Col Wanchai said.

The boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, has been charged with premeditated murder. His case will be prosecuted in the Phuket Family and Juvenile Court, he said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong