Unemployed Engineer Stabs Father-in-Law to Death During Domestic Dispute in Khon Kaen

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

A domestic argument turned deadly in Khon Kaen province when an unemployed engineer fatally stabbed his father-in-law and injured his wife during a violent outburst. The suspect was later found calmly rocking his child’s cradle inside the house while waiting to surrender to police.

The incident occurred at a single-storey residence in Nam Phong district. Police were alerted at around 21:00 on 1 July and officers from Nam Phong Police Station, led by Pol. Col. Chumpol Buachum, responded to the scene along with local rescue services.

Upon arrival, authorities found bloodstains throughout the property. Two seriously injured individuals had already been taken to Nam Phong Hospital, 63-year-old Mr. Sakorn who later succumbed to his wounds and his daughter, Ms. Rattiyakorn who is recovering in hospital with a stab wound to her thigh.

The suspect, 48-year-old Mr. Chatchawan was found inside the house, calmly rocking his child’s cradle. He did not resist arrest and handed over two sharp kitchen knives believed to have been used in the attack.

Police have charged Mr. Chatchawan with murder and causing bodily harm.

According to Ms. Jiraporn 60, the wife of the deceased and mother-in-law of the suspect, Mr. Chatchawan had been living with their family since losing his job in Bangkok. He previously worked as an engineer and had two children with Ms. Rattiyakorn. The couple had moved into a house built near the rear of the family property, where the grandparents helped care for the grandchildren.

Ms. Jiraporn explained that tensions had been building in the household due to financial problems. Mr. Chatchawan blamed his wife and father-in-law for losing over 400,000 baht in savings, which he claimed had been spent on gambling.

On the night of the incident, a heated argument broke out over a mobile phone, which Mr. Chatchawan wanted to use for job applications. His wife questioned why he was attempting to apply for jobs late at night, which led to a verbal exchange. In frustration, Mr. Chatchawan reportedly threw a fan out of the house.

Mr. Sakorn, the father-in-law, shouted from his separate quarters asking the couple to quiet down. This further enraged Mr. Chatchawan, who allegedly went into the kitchen, armed himself with two knives and attacked Mr. Sakorn, stabbing him multiple times in the chest, abdomen, ribs and arm. His wife tried to intervene but was also injured.

After the assault, Mr. Chatchawan returned inside the house and sat quietly with his child until police arrived.

Police are continuing their investigation while Mr. Chatchawan remains in custody awaiting prosecution.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-03