Krabi Man Killed in His Sleep by Mentally Ill Relative

Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

A 49-year-old man was brutally killed while sleeping at his home in Krabi province after being attacked by a mentally ill relative in a shocking and unprovoked incident that has left the local community stunned.

Police were alerted to the killing at around 13:00 on 12 April. Lieutenant Sorpit Khongphum, Deputy Inspector at Lam Thap Police Station, received the report of a fatal stabbing in Moo 6, Ban Khun Sai, Lam Thap subdistrict, Krabi. Officers from the local investigation team, forensic specialists from Krabi Provincial Police, a medical examiner from Lam Thap Hospital, and rescue workers from Krabi Pitak Pracha Foundation attended the scene.

The incident occurred in a single-storey home, where officers discovered the lifeless body of Mr. Santichai 49, lying in a pool of blood in the main living area. He had suffered a deep knife wound to the left side of his chest, along with several smaller cuts on his arms and legs. A blood-stained machete, approximately one metre in length, was later found discarded by the roadside a short distance from the house.

The suspected attacker, Mr. Wiwat 47, a relative of the victim’s wife, was later found sitting at a nearby residence roughly 500 metres away. Police apprehended him without incident and brought him in for questioning.

The victim’s wife told police that she and her husband had just returned from working on their farm. Her husband said he was tired, had a meal, and went to lie down. She then left to run errands. During her absence, their son called to inform her of the attack. She returned home to find her husband dead.

In a tearful statement, she said she was unable to comprehend the tragedy. “There were never any problems between them. We all knew he [the attacker] had mental health issues, but he had never shown any signs of violence toward my husband.”

Initial questioning of the suspect proved difficult. Police said he was incoherent and made contradictory claims, at one point alleging a business dispute involving the military and the victim. Officers believe these statements to be delusional and consistent with mental illness.

Authorities have confirmed that the suspect has a history of psychiatric treatment. He will undergo a full psychiatric evaluation before further legal proceedings are undertaken.

-- 2025-04-14