Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 61-year-old man has died following a violent altercation during a local rocket festival celebration in Chum Phae District, Khon Kaen province. The attack, which occurred after a dispute over alcohol, resulted in the victim being bludgeoned to death with a wooden stick and partially buried in dirt on a village road.

 

Police were alerted to the incident at around 16:00, on 27 May. Police Lieutenant Poomin Iem-ong of Chum Phae Police Station received the report of a suspected homicide in Moo 9, Ban Lang Nonchat, in Non Han subdistrict. Senior officers, investigators and local rescue volunteers quickly arrived at the scene.

 

The body of Mr. Jarae Boonmang, aged 61, was discovered lying on his back in the middle of a village road, directly in front of a residence. He had suffered significant head injuries and was partially covered in dirt. A metre-long bloodstained wooden stick was found approximately 30 metres away and was seized as evidence. Traces indicated the body had been dragged roughly 20 metres.

 

The suspected attacker, Mr. Sombat Naewprasert, aged 51, was found at his home nearby, heavily intoxicated and giving inconsistent statements. He was taken into custody and later escorted to the scene for a crime reconstruction.

 

Preliminary investigations revealed that both men had been drinking together since morning at a neighbour’s house as part of the village’s traditional “Bun Bang Fai” (Rocket Festival) celebrations. A verbal argument escalated during the gathering, but onlookers intervened and separated them, urging both to return home.

 

However, the victim reportedly followed Mr. Sombat to his home and reignited the quarrel. In a fit of rage, Mr. Sombat punched Mr. Jarae, causing him to fall. He then grabbed a piece of firewood from behind his house and struck him multiple times. The suspect then dragged the body onto the road and attempted to bury it using a hoe.

 

Chum Phae Police Superintendent, Colonel Rakchat Rueangcharoen, confirmed that the incident stemmed from a drunken dispute. While Mr. Sombat does not have a history of drug use, he is known to consume alcohol heavily and is currently under psychiatric treatment.

 

The suspect will undergo a full medical examination and testing for narcotics, although initial reports indicate no illegal substances were involved. Police will proceed with criminal charges following completion of the investigation.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-05-29.

 

 

 

On 5/28/2025 at 9:51 PM, Georgealbert said:

A 61-year-old man has died following a violent altercation during a local rocket festival celebration in Chum Phae District, Khon Kaen province. The attack, which occurred after a dispute over alcohol, resulted in the victim being bludgeoned to death with a wooden stick

 

If the rockets wont kill you the alcohol will.