Husband Confesses to Wife's Murder and Pond Disposal in Yasothon

Photo via Matichon

In a tragic incident, a man in Yasothon province, northeastern Thailand, confessed to bludgeoning his wife to death with a pestle and disposing of her body in a pond. The discovery was made early on June 9, when a local found the body of 51-year-old Puangphet Krotpong floating near the bank of a pond behind the Bang Nam Pho Fresh Market.

Mueang Yasothon Police Station officers and Yasothon Hospital personnel responded to the call. The victim, dressed in light blue shorts and a black tank top, was found face-up in shallow water. Forensic examination revealed injuries consistent with assault from a hard object to her neck and leg, and blood was visible on her nose. Drag marks on the ground indicated her body had been moved into the water.

The victim was identified as the owner of a nearby grocery store, located opposite the market. Her son, Supalerk Krotpong, reported last speaking to her the night before the incident. He stated there were no family disputes or conflicts known to him.

CCTV footage led police to the suspect, Puangphet’s husband, 57-year-old Sawian Krotpong. He was captured on camera moving a cart containing her body toward the pond around midnight. Authorities arrested Sawian at their home and shop, recovering the murder weapon from his bedroom.

During interrogation, Sawian admitted to hitting his wife on the neck with a pestle following an argument. Claiming fear that she might eventually harm him due to ongoing conflicts, he confessed to moving her body to the pond. Despite his actions, he described his feelings for her as loving but admitted to finding her irritating.

The report highlighted Sawian's depression and failure to take prescribed medication. It was noted that he rarely participated in the shop's operations, preferring solitude due to his mental health issues.

Sawian is now facing charges under the law. For intentional murder (Section 288), he could face the death penalty, life imprisonment, or a lengthy prison sentence of 15 to 20 years. He also faces a charge for concealing a body (Section 199), which could result in up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.

This tragic case sheds light on the potential consequences of untreated mental health issues and the importance of addressing domestic conflicts before they escalate.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-10