UDON THANI, THAILAND – A 37-year-old man was left in critical condition after three teenagers allegedly chased and stabbed him in a residential community in Udon Thani.
Man chased and stabbed after apparent chance encounter
The victim, Porntep, 37, had apparently encountered the three youths by chance in the Klao Chan community. What followed resembled a horror scene as the teenagers reportedly chased him, stabbed him twice in the back, and continued the assault after his motorcycle crashed. Severely injured, he fled to a nearby hotel and called for help, before rescue workers rushed him to hospital in critical condition.
CCTV footage leads police to three 17-year-old suspects
Investigators in Udon Thani used surveillance camera footage and witness statements to quickly identify and arrest three 17-year-old suspects. All three admitted taking part in the brutal attack, while police seized the suspected knife used in the stabbing and summoned the parents of the accused for questioning. According to officers, two of the teenagers were already known to police after being arrested last year over the theft of clothing.
Alleged defamation and past assault cited as motive
According to MGR Online, the detained youths gave a disturbing motive for the attack, saying the victim had accused them of harassing his sister, an allegation they denied. They also claimed Porntep had once physically assaulted them at their place of residence, leading to long-standing resentment. Police indicated the case could have been a personal act of revenge and said investigations were ongoing.
Similar knife attack reported in Pattaya
In a separate case in Pattaya, police reported that a woman allegedly attacked her neighbor with a knife after the neighbor was said to have spread false claims about a sexual relationship. The assailant was arrested, while the seriously injured neighbor was taken to hospital. Authorities said both incidents highlighted an alarming pattern of disputes escalating into violent confrontations.
Serious legal consequences expected for youths
The three teenagers from Udon Thani faced potentially severe legal consequences as police examined additional charges and gathered further evidence. Officers noted that the prior record of two suspects could weigh against them in court. While the victim fought for his life in hospital, the young suspects remained in pre-trial detention, with their lives likely to be permanently marked by what police described as a rash act of violence.