National—
On May 31st, 2024, Thai investigative police arrested a suspect at a residence in Mueang, Chumphon, in connection with the gruesome murder of an LGBTQ+ online seller in Nonthaburi.
Police identified the suspect only as 27-year-old Phurinat, a law graduate student from a renowned Thai university. The suspect was initially spotted in Pattaya and Hua Hin. Nonthaburi police issued an arrest warrant for Phurinat on charges of intentional murder and several other felonies.
During the investigation, police learned that Phurinat had hired a taxi from Chonburi to Hua Hin, disguising himself as a foreign tourist by speaking English to the driver. He then took a public coach to Mueang Chumphon, where he hid with a relative.
Mueang Chumphon police, in cooperation with other agencies, tracked down and arrested Phurinat. They also recovered many gold bars that the suspect had reportedly bought with the victim’s money.
Phurinat allegedly confessed to the crime, stating that he and Paisan were business partners. On the day of the incident, Phurinat went to Paisan’s condominium to retrieve a borrowed sum of 5 million baht. When Paisan refused to return the money, a quarrel ensued. Phurinat claimed he acted in self-defense, using a prepared knife to stab the victim over 50 times.
Initially, the suspect was escorted to Nonthaburi police station for further legal proceedings.
This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.
