Thai Woman Jailed Four Years for Fatal Assault on Husband’s Alleged Mistress
A Thai court has sentenced a woman to four years in prison following a fatal assault on a woman she believed to be her husband’s mistress, a case that drew public attention due to its emotional circumstances and tragic outcome.
The incident occurred after Worrawan discovered her husband, identified as Bas, inside a hotel room with a woman named Potjanart. According to court findings, Worrawan found Potjanart lying naked on a bed with her husband. Enraged by the scene, Worrawan dragged Potjanart out of the hotel room despite her being unclothed and proceeded to assault her repeatedly.
The attack reportedly continued until Potjanart collapsed. Witnesses stated that Potjanart later began coughing up blood, at which point Worrawan stopped the assault. Hotel staff intervened and arranged for the injured woman to be transported to a hospital for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, Potjanart later died from the severity of her injuries.
At the time of the incident, Worrawan was eight months pregnant. She was arrested shortly after the assault and later told police that she had not intended to kill Potjanart. During questioning, Worrawan claimed her actions were driven by extreme anger and emotional distress after discovering what she believed to be her husband’s infidelity. Authorities initially granted her bail, set at 150,000 baht, while the investigation continued.
Further inquiries by officers from Min Buri Police Station later revealed a key detail that contradicted Worrawan’s original belief. Investigators determined that Potjanart was not Bas’s mistress. Instead, police clarified that the victim was employed as a party entertainer and had gone to the hotel strictly as part of her work, not as part of a romantic relationship.
The case proceeded through the Thai legal system over a period of approximately seven months. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Worrawan’s actions directly led to the victim’s death. The court ultimately ruled that Worrawan intentionally caused Potjanart’s death, based on the severity and duration of the assault.
However, judges also took into account mitigating factors when determining the final sentence. The court acknowledged that Worrawan acted under intense emotional strain, driven by jealousy and what it described as severe and unjust provocation. These considerations influenced the court’s decision to reduce the sentence.
According to information released by Worrawan’s lawyer, the court initially imposed an eight-year prison sentence. This sentence was later reduced by half to four years due to Worrawan’s confession and cooperation during legal proceedings.
In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Worrawan to pay 850,000 baht in compensation to Potjanart’s family. The compensation will accrue interest at a rate of five percent per year until fully paid.
The case has sparked renewed discussion in Thailand about emotional violence, accountability, and the legal consequences of actions taken during moments of extreme distress.
