Chinese husband charged after wife dies in Chiang Mai

A 45-year-old Chinese man has been charged after his 38-year-old Chinese wife died following an alleged assault at their rented home in Chiang Mai's Chang Phueak area.

Police said the incident is reported to have happened at about 12.10am on 2 August 2026 at a housing estate off Chotana Road Soi 14 in Muang Chiang Mai district. The couple had reportedly moved there around a month earlier to care for their child, who attends an international school.

Woman found unconscious upstairs

Chang Phueak police and Siam Rat Chiang Mai rescue workers went to the house after the husband’s friend reported that the woman had been seriously assaulted.

The woman was found unconscious and unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom of the two-storey property, according to the initial police account. She had severe bruising around both eyes and had suffered cardiac arrest.

Rescue workers carried out first aid and CPR, but she was later pronounced dead at hospital. Police said the alleged assault took place in front of the couple's child.

The victim’s body has been kept at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, where forensic doctors are to conduct a detailed post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death before further legal steps are taken.

Police cite alleged affair claim

Pol Col Sawek Chusiri, superintendent of Chang Phueak police, said preliminary inquiries indicated that the husband had received a call from a friend in China earlier that day.

The friend allegedly told him that his wife was having an affair with another man, police said. This led to a serious argument, during which the husband allegedly assaulted his wife until she lost consciousness.

After regaining his composure and seeing his wife's condition, the man reportedly telephoned a Chinese friend in Thailand for help. When that friend later arrived at the home and saw she was in a critical condition, he called the 1669 emergency hotline.

Interpreter arranged for formal questioning

The husband is being held at Chang Phueak police station. Pol Col Sawek said the formal interview had been delayed because the suspect speaks only Chinese, and officers had to arrange for a Chinese interpreter to attend.

Police have charged him with assault causing another person's death. According to police, he has confessed, saying jealousy prompted his actions and that the assault was unintended.

Picture courtesy of Daily News

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3 August 2026

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