Mother in Khon Kaen Denies Killing Newborn, Admits to Cover-Up

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

Khon Kaen police have revealed new details in the case of a newborn who was killed and subsequently burned by the mother and her husband in Ban Fang District.

On Wednesday, August 21, investigators escorted Ms. Panadda “Pear”, 33 and her husband Mr. Pongsathorn “Ple”, 30, to conduct a reconstruction of the events at the charcoal kiln where they disposed of the infant’s body on August 16. The site is located in an agricultural area in Village 4, Non Khong Subdistrict. The reconstruction also included a stop at the home of a friend who owns the kiln, as well as the couple’s apartment in Khon Kaen city, where the mother had given birth.

Ms. Panadda, tearfully recounting the events, said she went into labour alone on August 15. Despite several attempts, she struggled to deliver the baby safely. After brief cries from the newborn, she placed the child at the foot of the bed, covering the infant’s face with a towel during a moment of dizziness, inadvertently causing the baby’s death. She insisted that there was no intention to kill.

Following the death, the couple, overwhelmed with fear and confusion, decided to place the newborn in a basket and later burn the body at the charcoal kiln. Ms. Panadda explained that they had no extended family support and felt unable to care for the child. She also noted previous consideration of adoption, but was told by relevant authorities that the process was not straightforward.

Police said Ms. Panadda displayed extreme distress while in custody, attempting to harm herself and hang herself with a pillowcase, made into a makeshift rope, which was prevented by officers.

Both suspects have been charged with murder and concealing or disposing of a body to cover up the death.

Related article:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1370426-parents-arrested-for-burning-newborn-in-charcoal-kiln/

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-08-22