Bangkok authorities have arrested a 30-year-old man accused of stabbing a motorcycle taxi driver in a shocking attack linked to cannabis-induced hallucinations. The suspect, identified as Chawin, was apprehended in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya after police obtained an arrest warrant issued by the Criminal Court on August 19. He now faces charges of causing grievous bodily harm.
The incident, which took place on August 5 in front of Soi Wongsawang 11 in Bang Sue district, left the victim, 44-year-old motorcycle taxi driver Sirichai, seriously injured. CCTV footage and eyewitness testimony pointed investigators to Chawin, who was later found in possession of a folding knife believed to have been used in the attack.
During questioning, Chawin admitted to the stabbing but insisted that his actions were driven by auditory hallucinations brought on by cannabis use. According to his confession, he had become convinced that two fellow motorcycle taxi drivers, known as Nao and Got, were conspiring to harm his wife. Acting on these delusions, he went out in search of them. When he saw Sirichai, who belonged to the same motorcycle taxi stand, he mistook him for one of the alleged conspirators and carried out the stabbing before fleeing the scene.
After the attack, Chawin sought refuge in a home in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, where he remained until his arrest. He told police that he had been struggling with cannabis addiction, which had caused persistent hallucinations and paranoia. His case has sparked concern about the mental health risks associated with drug abuse, particularly in Thailand, where the recent easing of cannabis restrictions has fueled public debate.
The local community has been left shaken by the seemingly random act of violence. Motorcycle taxi drivers, who serve as a vital part of Bangkok’s urban transport system, expressed fear and frustration following the attack. “We work hard to serve passengers every day, and something like this makes us feel unsafe,” one driver told local media.
In a separate but similarly troubling case, Bangkok police also reported another stabbing incident earlier this month. A 40-year-old man named Akhom allegedly attacked a 48-year-old outside a bank in Thon Buri after a dispute over a glance. The victim sustained multiple stab wounds and was rushed to Naval Hospital, while bystanders managed to restrain the attacker until police arrived.
Authorities are now investigating both incidents while urging the public to remain vigilant. Police Colonel Suraphat Rattanatraiwong of Buppharam Police Station emphasized the importance of community cooperation in preventing violent crimes and called on individuals struggling with substance abuse to seek help before their problems escalate.
As the cases proceed through the justice system, both highlight the growing concerns over drug-induced violence and community safety in Thailand’s capital.
