Crime Four-Year-Old Girl Blinded in Machete Attack by Gang Mistaking Father for Rival

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

A four-year-old girl has been left blind after a horrific machete attack by a gang, initially believed to be youths riding motorcycles, who mistook her father for a rival. The incident, which occurred on 28 June in Ubon Ratchathani province, has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for justice and proper legal action.

 

The victim, known only as ‘A’, was travelling home from the rice fields on a motorbike with her father, 27-year-old Wichanon Saentaweesuk, when the pair were ambushed. A group of four on two motorcycles, who were allegedly pursuing a rival involved in a drug case, mistook Wichanon for their intended target and attacked.

 

Wielding a machete, a gang member slashed A across the face. She was rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital due to the severity of her injuries. Doctors were forced to remove her right eye and the optic nerve in her left eye was also damaged, leaving her completely blind. Specialists have expressed a slim hope that some sight may be recovered in the left eye with expert intervention.

 

The child’s mother, 25-year-old Natchanok Puangchampa, recounted the terrifying incident and expressed frustration at the slow pace of the police investigation. Since the attack, the family has relocated out of fear for their safety and are currently being sheltered by a local social media activist.

 

The case was highlighted by prominent community advocate Ekaphop Luangprasert, who on the 15 July, visited the provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Patiyut Singsomroj, to demand justice and case progress. Public pressure appears to have spurred authorities into action.

 

Police have since issued arrest warrants for four individuals: Tawee “Petch” Boonmathon 33, believed to be the machete-wielding attacker, Thawatchai “Thiw” Dodthani, the driver of Petch’s motorcycle, Saksit “Tong” Promlun, the second bike’s driver and Manat “Nut” Samila, Tong’s passenger. Investigators say Petch has a known history of drug-related offences.

 

In a further twist, it was revealed that the real target of the attack was a man named “Don”m who had previously acted as a police informant in a drug sting that led to arrests in the gang. On the day of the incident, Don was lured to a nearby rice field but fled upon seeing the attackers. Tragically, young A and her father happened to be passing by at the same time.

 

Justice Ministry officials have now intervened, with Patitta Chompradit, Director of the Provincial Justice Office, pledging financial support and witness protection if needed. Efforts are also being made to expedite compensation for the victim through the official channels.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-07-17

 

 

 

[quake]

Just nasty. 

[FlorC]

People always go overboard when a child gets raped.

What happened here is a thousand times worse.

[milesinnz]

This has to be a new low from Thailand... I am truly disgusted  - yeh yeh yeh.. we are going to hear that all Thai's are not like this... these teenage gang members/drug dealers were someone's little children at some stage - they were not born like this.. so what happened and here we will hear the silence as no one wants to take responsibility for what has been created... 

[phetphet]

An innocent child's life ruined before it has hardly begun. The gift of sight taken away by evil scum.

 

They should be locked up and the key thrown away.

[hotchilli]

On 7/17/2025 at 5:44 AM, Georgealbert said:

The case was highlighted by prominent community advocate Ekaphop Luangprasert, who on the 15 July, visited the provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Patiyut Singsomroj, to demand justice and case progress. Public pressure appears to have spurred authorities into action.

What does it take to get RTP off their backsides?

This girl deserves justice, and quickly 

[robertyongym]

An eye for an eye. There is no necessity to read between the line. Just make the attacker with ..... (his own eye).

[robertyongym]

48 minutes ago, milesinnz said:

This has to be a new low from Thailand... I am truly disgusted  - yeh yeh yeh.. we are going to hear that all Thai's are not like this... these teenage gang members/drug dealers were someone's little children at some stage - they were not born like this.. so what happened and here we will hear the silence as no one wants to take responsibility for what has been created... 

The silence is deafening. Let's hope (against hope) that the RTP will really take firm action against these scumbags. Not just a few minutes of action in front of the TV cameras and close the case.

[Grumpy one]

Those who are convicted should suffer the same as this poor kid.

Remove their eyes so they can live in a world of darkness

[Bruce Aussie]

21 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

What does it take to get RTP off their backsides?

This girl deserves justice, and quickly 

Lunch time, put phones down and go get coffee. Problem solved of backsides for a few minutes.

[Dutchjohn]

On 7/17/2025 at 5:44 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

A four-year-old girl has been left blind after a horrific machete attack by a gang, initially believed to be youths riding motorcycles, who mistook her father for a rival. The incident, which occurred on 28 June in Ubon Ratchathani province, has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for justice and proper legal action.

 

The victim, known only as ‘A’, was travelling home from the rice fields on a motorbike with her father, 27-year-old Wichanon Saentaweesuk, when the pair were ambushed. A group of four teenagers on two motorcycles, who were allegedly pursuing a rival involved in a drug case, mistook Wichanon for their intended target and attacked.

 

Wielding a machete, a gang member slashed A across the face. She was rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital due to the severity of her injuries. Doctors were forced to remove her right eye and the optic nerve in her left eye was also damaged, leaving her completely blind. Specialists have expressed a slim hope that some sight may be recovered in the left eye with expert intervention.

 

The child’s mother, 25-year-old Natchanok Puangchampa, recounted the terrifying incident and expressed frustration at the slow pace of the police investigation. Since the attack, the family has relocated out of fear for their safety and are currently being sheltered by a local social media activist.

 

The case was highlighted by prominent community advocate Ekaphop Luangprasert, who on the 15 July, visited the provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Patiyut Singsomroj, to demand justice and case progress. Public pressure appears to have spurred authorities into action.

 

Police have since issued arrest warrants for four individuals: Tawee “Petch” Boonmathon 33, believed to be the machete-wielding attacker, Thawatchai “Thiw” Dodthani, the driver of Petch’s motorcycle, Saksit “Tong” Promlun, the second bike’s driver and Manat “Nut” Samila, Tong’s passenger. Investigators say Petch has a known history of drug-related offences.

 

In a further twist, it was revealed that the real target of the attack was a man named “Don”m who had previously acted as a police informant in a drug sting that led to arrests in the gang. On the day of the incident, Don was lured to a nearby rice field but fled upon seeing the attackers. Tragically, young A and her father happened to be passing by at the same time.

 

Justice Ministry officials have now intervened, with Patitta Chompradit, Director of the Provincial Justice Office, pledging financial support and witness protection if needed. Efforts are also being made to expedite compensation for the victim through the official channels.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-07-17

 

 

 

No words or emois can describe my anger

[harryviking]

On 7/17/2025 at 5:44 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath.

 

A four-year-old girl has been left blind after a horrific machete attack by a gang, initially believed to be youths riding motorcycles, who mistook her father for a rival. The incident, which occurred on 28 June in Ubon Ratchathani province, has sparked widespread outrage, with calls for justice and proper legal action.

 

The victim, known only as ‘A’, was travelling home from the rice fields on a motorbike with her father, 27-year-old Wichanon Saentaweesuk, when the pair were ambushed. A group of four teenagers on two motorcycles, who were allegedly pursuing a rival involved in a drug case, mistook Wichanon for their intended target and attacked.

 

Wielding a machete, a gang member slashed A across the face. She was rushed to a local hospital and later transferred to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital due to the severity of her injuries. Doctors were forced to remove her right eye and the optic nerve in her left eye was also damaged, leaving her completely blind. Specialists have expressed a slim hope that some sight may be recovered in the left eye with expert intervention.

 

The child’s mother, 25-year-old Natchanok Puangchampa, recounted the terrifying incident and expressed frustration at the slow pace of the police investigation. Since the attack, the family has relocated out of fear for their safety and are currently being sheltered by a local social media activist.

 

The case was highlighted by prominent community advocate Ekaphop Luangprasert, who on the 15 July, visited the provincial police chief, Pol Maj Gen Patiyut Singsomroj, to demand justice and case progress. Public pressure appears to have spurred authorities into action.

 

Police have since issued arrest warrants for four individuals: Tawee “Petch” Boonmathon 33, believed to be the machete-wielding attacker, Thawatchai “Thiw” Dodthani, the driver of Petch’s motorcycle, Saksit “Tong” Promlun, the second bike’s driver and Manat “Nut” Samila, Tong’s passenger. Investigators say Petch has a known history of drug-related offences.

 

In a further twist, it was revealed that the real target of the attack was a man named “Don”m who had previously acted as a police informant in a drug sting that led to arrests in the gang. On the day of the incident, Don was lured to a nearby rice field but fled upon seeing the attackers. Tragically, young A and her father happened to be passing by at the same time.

 

Justice Ministry officials have now intervened, with Patitta Chompradit, Director of the Provincial Justice Office, pledging financial support and witness protection if needed. Efforts are also being made to expedite compensation for the victim through the official channels.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from ThaiRath 2025-07-17

 

 

 

I sometimes wonders if some Thais are really humans. The ability to think straight seems many times to be absent! Imagine the grade of retardness of anyone blinding a small girl on purpose! That is so low it demands the death sentence.😪

[Magictoad]

These kind of attacks are all too common but usually don't come to the attention of farangs. Those little cards you see all over the place are money lenders cards; offering loans to people at an exorbitant rate of interest, sometimes three thousand baht a day on a hundred thousand loan. The loan collectors are not "nice" men. Many bar girls are caught in a never ending spiral of debt that is impossible to pay off. 3K a day is 21K a week. More than some AN member monthly income. Their only solution is to relocate to another city. They are desperate. Behind the Thai smile desperation is hiding.

In the above story a little girl was blinded for life.

[pacovl46]

Slashing a little kid with a machete because you think you have a 

problem with its father is absolutely unacceptable!
 

Death penalty! 

[Look Chang]

It's horrible! Who can do that to a 4yo little girl??? It's completely abject.

[WDSmart]

Find "Petch," arrest him, try him, and if found guilty, put him in prison for life. And, it would be helpful to tell all the other prisoners what "Petch" did so they could let him know what they think of striking a 4-year-old with a machete. 😡

[Andytheburiramman]

Don't see anything really happening here, as it was just a farmer's daughter.  All the drug dealers here work for powerful people (say no more), so very sad but hey ho this is amazing Thailand.

[Geoff914]

3 hours ago, Magictoad said:

These kind of attacks are all too common but usually don't come to the attention of farangs. Those little cards you see all over the place are money lenders cards; offering loans to people at an exorbitant rate of interest, sometimes three thousand baht a day on a hundred thousand loan. The loan collectors are not "nice" men. Many bar girls are caught in a never ending spiral of debt that is impossible to pay off. 3K a day is 21K a week. More than some AN member monthly income. Their only solution is to relocate to another city. They are desperate. Behind the Thai smile desperation is hiding.

In the above story a little girl was blinded for life.

But the attack on the father was against the wrong man anyway. Money lending gone bad the man they went to attack was the wrong person. Has Thailand got no shame?

[Liverpool Lou]

2 hours ago, Look Chang said:

It's horrible! Who can do that to a 4yo little girl??? It's completely abject.

"Completely abject"?  Huh?

[Liverpool Lou]

16 minutes ago, Geoff914 said:

But the attack on the father was against the wrong man anyway. Money lending gone bad the man they went to attack was the wrong person. Has Thailand got no shame?

Absolutely nothing to do with money lending, didn't you read the OP?

[Geoff914]

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Absolutely nothing to do with money lending, didn't you read the OP?

Oh yes sorry, he was mistaken for somebody in a drug case. So it was ok to mistakenly go after him. Magictoad referred to money lending gangs so in hindsight not sure what that had to do with it.

[bbbbooboo]

hmmm…. Thailand , land of smiles?

[pchansmorn]

On 7/18/2025 at 9:09 AM, Grumpy one said:

Those who are convicted should suffer the same as this poor kid.

Remove their eyes so they can live in a world of darkness

I totally agree with you.

[bannork]

The only glimmer of hope here, and believe me no pun is intended, is the publicity this horrific case generates may ensure this little girl gets the attention of the best eye surgeons in Thailand, or perhaps abroad.

Hopefully they may be able to help her regain some sight in the left eye 

As for the attackers (s), prison justice awaits, hopefully.

[Bday Prang]

On 7/20/2025 at 1:06 AM, bannork said:

The only glimmer of hope here, and believe me no pun is intended, is the publicity this horrific case generates may ensure this little girl gets the attention of the best eye surgeons in Thailand, or perhaps abroad.

Hopefully they may be able to help her regain some sight in the left eye 

As for the attackers (s), prison justice awaits, hopefully.

But there is always the ever present  spectre that the savages maybe  "connected" and therefore protected. The slow progress reported is sadly indicative of this.    Hang the scum who did this AND who ever paid them to do it     Sadly  I don't think "prison justice" works the same way here as in the west