“Jealous’ Belgian expat stabbed, left in coma by Thai girlfriend in domestic dispute

PHUKET: A domestic dispute got out of hand last night, leading to the brutal stabbing and hospitalization of a 62-year-old Belgian expat.

In a moment of jealousy, Ferdinand Salden allegedly attacked his girlfriend of about six years, who then stabbed him multiple times with a thin, sharp piece of metal.

Mr Salden had numerous stab wounds to the chest, as well as stab wounds to the neck and leg.

Mr Salden’s girlfriend, Yossapa Janthep, 36, subsequently flagged down a tuk-tuk and rushed Mr Salden to Patong Hospital.

“We arrived at the hospital to find Ms Yossapa crying in front of the Emergency Room, drunk and still holding the bloody weapon,” said Lt Col Jongserm Preecha of the Patong Police.

Mr Salden lapsed into a coma and was immediately transferred to Bangkok Phuket International Hospital, said Lt Col Jongserm.

“Ms Yossapa told us that the dispute had happened after she had gone out to dinner with Mr Salden and a friend of his. After dinner the group made their way to Soi Bangla for drinks,” said Col Jongserm. “Mr Salden allegedly became jealous of the interactions between Ms Yossapa and his friend and began to beat her when they got back to his apartment. She responded by attacking him with the piece of metal.”

Ms Yossapa is facing aggravated assault charges, said Col Jongserm.

— Paramee Poolsawat