Crime Jealousy and Rage Over Past Glory Ends in Murder at Village Celebration

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Siam News.

 

A 33-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder after fatally assaulting a 51-year-old man during a heated argument at a village gathering in Ban Phue district, Udon Thani province.

 

The victim, Mr. Direk, suffered a fractured skull, broken leg and severe bodily trauma after being attacked with a wooden beam. He was rushed to Ban Phue Hospital in critical condition on the evening of 19 May and succumbed to his injuries the following day due to internal bleeding in the brain.

 

The assailant, Mr. Wuttikrai, also known as “Lek”, admitted to the brutal assault during police questioning. According to Pol. Lt. Col. Kusol Sitthikhankaew, Deputy Superintendent of Ban Thueam Police Station, Wuttikrai claimed the incident stemmed from frustration and intoxication.

 

On the night of the incident, the village was celebrating both a wedding and a housewarming, with live mor lam performances. Wuttikrai had consumed methamphetamine before sitting outside his home drinking alcohol. Direk, returning from the festivities, stopped to join him for a drink.

 

During their conversation, Direk reportedly began boasting about his youth and strength “in the old days.” Wuttikrai, already irritated, asked him to stop. When Direk persisted, Wuttikrai became enraged, punching and kicking him before using a wooden roof support beam to strike him repeatedly on the head, torso and legs. He then dragged the injured man to the road in front of the house and kicked him again.

 

Direk’s mother arrived shortly after and helped take him home and to the hospital, accompanied by Wuttikrai himself, who claimed he did not expect the injuries to be fatal.

 

Following Direk’s death, Wuttikrai reportedly used 500 baht given to him by the victim’s mother to buy food, shared 300 baht with his grandmother, and fled to sleep in nearby fields. He later purchased and consumed two more methamphetamine pills. That evening, 20 May, as he returned home, he was apprehended by police on a village access road.

 

Wuttikrai has been charged with causing bodily harm resulting in death. He remains in custody as the case proceeds through the legal system.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Siam News 2025-05-22.

 

 

 

[dddave]

A lot of barstool heroes should  perhaps take note.