Police investigating the murder of a man found stabbed to death in Phuket’s Old Town have arrested a restaurant employee. The Phuket Express reports that 33 year old Arnon Thepsong, originally from Trang in southern Thailand, was arrested in connection with the fatal stabbing of a man in the early hours of Monday morning, October 9.
The body of 33 year old Wirun Inya, who had earlier eaten in the restaurant where the suspect was working, was found in a hotel car park, some 500 metres from the venue. Residents had earlier reported hearing fighting outside the restaurant. Police suspect the victim was stabbed and managed to run away, getting as far as the hotel car park where he collapsed and died.
Pratueng Phonmana, chief of Phuket City Police, says checks of CCTV footage helped them identify the suspect, who was arrested at his home in the Mueang district later the same day.
When questioned by police, Arnon said that while in the restaurant, Wirun was very drunk and disruptive. The suspect says the victim was annoying other customers and then threw a glass at the bar.
At this point, Arnon says he tried to stop Wirun and asked him to leave the restaurant, but instead, the victim hit another employee. Arnon says he then retrieved a knife he kept under his motorbike seat, which was parked in front of the restaurant. He insists this was done in self-defence only.
The suspect went on to say that he tried to walk away from Wirun, but the victim allegedly slapped him across the face. Arnon says he then used the knife to stab the customer, adding that he did so only once, before disposing of the weapon in a nearby canal.
Arnon now faces charges of bodily assault causing death. He insists he did not intend to kill the victim but was acting in self-defence.
The name of the restaurant has not been released by police, who say the investigation is still ongoing and a decision has yet to be made on whether the venue will face legal action.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
