Chiang Rai Man, 64, Murdered With Machete in Jealous Dispute
A 64-year-old man was brutally killed with a machete inside his home in Ban Mai Phatthana, Wiang subdistrict, Wiang Pa Pao, Chiang Rai, on Friday. Police say the attack was motivated by jealousy.
Officers from Wiang Pa Pao Police Station received a report of a body found inside a single-storey house. Upon arrival, they discovered Mr Thongsuk (surname withheld) lying dead on a mattress. He wore blue shorts and no shirt. Investigators noted a deep 15–20 cm gash above his left eyebrow, likely inflicted by a sharp object.
Police estimated the time of death at seven to eight hours prior to discovery. The body was examined by an on-call doctor and transported to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital for a full autopsy.
Jealousy Sparked Deadly Attack
Later, Mr Teera (surname withheld), 38, from the same subdistrict, surrendered to police. He gave confused statements but admitted to attacking the victim out of jealousy, citing his wife’s frequent visits to the victim’s house as the source of ongoing disputes.
Neighbours told investigators that both the suspect and his wife had a history of drug use and often visited the victim to drink. On the evening of 9 October, witnesses overheard heated arguments between the two men after the suspect’s wife went to the victim’s house.
Later that night, around 10–11 pm, Mr Teera returned to the victim’s house on a bicycle. Neighbours heard another quarrel but did not intervene, unaware it would turn deadly.
Confession Under Scrutiny
The following morning, neighbours noticed blood outside the house and called authorities. Inside, police found the victim’s body on the mattress.
Mr Teera claimed that during the argument, he produced a weapon, a struggle ensued, and he struck the victim once. He allegedly then washed the blood from the victim’s face and placed him on the bed. The machete was later recovered from his home.
However, investigators are treating his confession cautiously, noting inconsistencies. Autopsy results are pending to support the case file.
Crimes of Passion in Thailand
Jealousy-driven killings, often labeled “crimes of passion,” are common in Thailand. They typically involve lovers or romantic rivals and are intensified by cultural factors such as emotional expression and domestic disputes.
Globally, around 82% of such murders stem from jealousy, and Thailand follows a similar trend. While Thai courts sometimes consider emotional provocation as a mitigating factor, murder remains punishable by life imprisonment or death.
This tragic case has once again drawn attention to issues of domestic violence, jealousy, and mental health, highlighting the need for better prevention measures in communities.
