SURIN, Thailand – A tragic incident on the Tung Pho–Tha Sawang Road on the night of June 8th resulted in the deaths of a 32-year-old woman and a 28-year-old helper, with the driver of the vehicle subsequently charged with intentional murder by police.
Escalation in the Car: Dashcam Records Argument
Thidarat Phonthong, 32, and Arnon Kongkeng, 32, were together in the car when a dispute erupted. Dashcam footage captured Thidarat repeatedly urging the driver to drop a knife.
She stopped the car, exited, and attempted to escape from him. A stranger on a motorcycle became her last hope for assistance.
Call for Help, Then Deadly Drive
Nattanon Jitharn, 28, happened to be passing by when Thidarat pleaded for his help. The young man stopped – and paid for his courage with his life.
According to the police, a collision occurred between the car and the motorcycle, in which both occupants of the motorcycle lost their lives.
Driver Claims Accident – Authorities Strongly Disagree
Arnon Kongkeng told officers that he did not recognize the woman on the passenger seat as his girlfriend. The collision, he claimed, was an accident.
However, investigators believe this was intentional and have charged the 32-year-old with intentional murder. Arnon’s words after the incident were described as lacking empathy: “I dare not offer an apology to her and her family at the funeral. It has already happened. I cannot undo it.”
Facing Death Penalty or Long Prison Sentence
The charge of intentional murder carries severe penalties. These range from the death penalty to life imprisonment, or a prison sentence of 15 to 20 years.
A conviction is pending, but the police classify the act as an intentional ramming – a tragedy that escalated from a single argument.
Second Victim: Days Before His Wedding
Nattanon Jitharn worked for the Surin Provincial Electricity Authority and was in the prime of his life. He would have celebrated his birthday on June 9th, just one day after the fatal night.
He and his girlfriend were already planning their wedding for January of the following year. Instead of celebrations and a future, there is now only grief and disbelief.
Praise for Courage – And a Warning
Local residents offered their condolences to Nattanon’s family and his girlfriend. They lauded the young man as a brave helper who stood by a stranger in need.
At the same time, many are urging caution: intervening in escalating domestic disputes can put one’s own life at risk. Such conflicts should be immediately reported to the police or local authorities instead of attempting to intervene personally.