Tattoo Artist Fatally Stabbed at Temple Fair in Nakhon Ratchasima

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

A well-known local tattoo artist was stabbed to death in a frenzied knife attack during a temple fair, shocking onlookers and causing widespread panic among festivalgoers. Police have arrested the suspected attacker, who is reportedly a notorious figure in the local community.

The incident occurred at approximately 22:15 on 14 June during a celebration at Wat Ban Khumuang in Banlang Subdistrict, Nakhon Ratchasima. The festival was held in honour of Buddhist scriptural studies. The victim, identified as Mr. Opas, 37, a tattoo artist in the area, was found lying in a pool of blood near a vendor stall, having sustained five stab wounds, three to the left rib cage, one below the right breast and one to the neck.

According to police, Mr. Opas had been in conversation with the suspect, known as Mr. Tu from Ban Kradan village, outside the temple hall. The meeting was reportedly intended to resolve a personal dispute, but quickly escalated into a heated argument. Mr. Tu allegedly placed the victim in a chokehold and stabbed him multiple times with a knife he had brought with him.

Despite his injuries, Mr. Opas managed to break free and run, collapsing in front of a food stall as horrified villagers screamed in panic. Mr. Tu fled the scene, discarding the weapon about 20 metres away from the site before escaping on a motorcycle.

Police and rescue personnel from Hook 31 emergency services responded swiftly. Forensic officers collected the bloodstained knife as evidence. Within hours, investigators from Non Thai Police Station tracked Mr. Tu to his home in Banlang and took him into custody.

During interrogation, Mr. Tu confessed to the murder, telling police he acted out of deep resentment, claiming that Mr. Opas, once a friend, had betrayed him, leading to their fallout. He now faces charges of murder and carrying a weapon in a public place.

Investigators also revealed that Mr. Tu has a criminal record, having served prison time for a previous homicide conviction in 2010. After his release, he briefly joined the military before returning home, where he gained a reputation as a local troublemaker.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-06-16