Picture courtesy of Khoasod.

 

A case of domestic violence turned deadly in Sing Buri province in the early hours of morning, when a man allegedly set fire to his estranged wife’s home, resulting in the death of his 79-year-old mother-in-law, who was sleeping upstairs at the time.

 

At approximately 03:00 on 22 April, Pol. Lt. Suwet Muangthong, an investigator at In Buri Police Station, received reports of a house fire in Nam Tan subdistrict, In Buri district. Fire crews from local authorities, including the Nam Tan Subdistrict Administrative Organisation, were dispatched to the scene.

 

Due to the narrow alley where the two-storey, semi-concrete, semi-wooden house was located, fire engines had to enter in single file. It took firefighters about 50 minutes to bring the blaze under control. Sadly, one person was found dead inside the house, Mrs. Rai aged 79, who suffered from hearing impairment and had been unable to escape the flames.

 

According to the homeowner, Ms. Anchalee aged 38, she had been living with her husband, Mr. Anek for about three years. She has children from a previous relationship, and tensions reportedly flared between her husband and the children. Ms. Anchalee described Mr. Anek as having a volatile temper and stated that arguments had become increasingly frequent.

 

On 15 April, she said, she was physically assaulted by her husband, sustaining visible bruises on her arms. She added that Mr. Anek had threatened her, saying, “If I can’t live here, I’ll burn your house down.” On the night of the incident, Ms. Anchalee had gone to sleep at a friend’s house after her husband allegedly attempted to strangle her earlier that afternoon at her workplace.

 

Only her elderly mother was at home when the fire started.

 

Witnesses reported seeing Mr. Anek arrive at the house in a Nissan car, with another person. He reportedly entered the house briefly, then emerged saying, “I’m sorry, my love,” before driving off. Moments later, flames engulfed the home.

 

Local police are now seeking Mr. Anek and plan to press charges related to arson and manslaughter.

 

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khoasod.

 

-- 2025-04-23

 

UPDATE
Deranged Man Burns Down Wife’s House, Killing Elderly Mother-in-Law — Arrested After Manhunt

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A manhunt has ended in the arrest of a deranged son-in-law who allegedly set fire to his wife’s home in a fit of rage, resulting in the tragic death of his elderly mother-in-law. The horrific incident occurred in Moo 1, Nam Tan Subdistrict, In Buri District, Sing Buri Province.

 

The suspect, 38-year-old Mr Anek, is said to have committed the act following a domestic dispute with his wife, Ms Anchalee. During the blaze, Ms Anchalee’s 79-year-old mother, Mrs Rai-ai, who suffered from hearing impairment, was unable to escape and died from severe burns.

 

According to investigators, Mr Anek had previously threatened to burn down the house. On 22 April, he allegedly followed through on the threat, dousing the bedroom in thinner and setting it alight before fleeing the scene by car.

 

Authorities finally apprehended Mr Anek at a temple in Takli District, Nakhon Sawan Province, after he drove directly into a police checkpoint. He was taken into custody by officers from In Buri Police Station and Sing Buri Provincial Police for questioning.

 

Following an hour-long interrogation, police escorted Mr Anek back to the crime scene to conduct a re-enactment of the events. As he was brought to the location, grieving relatives of the deceased gathered, shouting curses at him, with some attempting to break through police lines to confront him physically.

 

During the re-enactment, Mr Anek demonstrated how he parked his car, entered the house, and poured thinner in the bedroom before igniting the fire. Witnesses reported that he shouted “Darling, I’m sorry” during the act. After the demonstration, he raised his hands in a wai and said he wished to apologise to his wife and the deceased’s family. His apology was met with an angry outcry from relatives, including shouts of “I will never forgive you,” to which Mr Anek responded, “I already gave you a chance.”

 

Investigators revealed that after the arson, Mr Anek removed his vehicle’s licence plates in Nong Soi Thong Subdistrict, Takli, then stayed at a local resort. He later borrowed a staff member’s phone to call a relative in Ayutthaya, which helped police track and arrest him.

 

Mr Anek is currently in custody awaiting formal charges, including arson and murder.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-04-25.