PAK KRET, THAILAND – A 58-year-old barbershop owner and two women were under suspicion of jointly committing a premeditated killing of a 26-year-old man in Nonthaburi province, as police requested detention without bail and the provincial court reviewed the motion.
Death in a Pak Kret barbershop
Investigators stated that 26-year-old Thiti, known by the nickname Tee, had allegedly been lured into the barbershop of 58-year-old Jeerawat, called Ek, under false pretences. The pretext was reportedly the collection of a mobile phone.
Inside the shop, police said a physical altercation broke out during which the victim initially gained the upper hand but later died from his injuries. Investigators treated the incident as a premeditated killing.
Self-defense account challenged
Ek told investigators that the man had entered the salon armed and demanded 20,000 baht. According to this account, the struggle arose from that situation and he had acted in self-defense.
Police disputed this version. Investigators said traces at the crime scene suggested that the supposed self-defense situation had been constructed afterwards to conceal the actual circumstances of the killing.
Audio recording at the center of the case
A customer who was in the salon at the time of the incident was reported to have captured an audio recording of the events. According to police, the recording contained cries for help from the victim and contradicted the description of a spontaneous self-defense situation.
Investigators regarded this piece of evidence as an indication of a planned act. It remained unclear whether and in what form the recording would be admitted in court.
Three people charged and detention sought
On 18 April 2026, Ek, his alleged first wife Nattayan, and a Laotian national described as his second partner were questioned at Pak Kret Police Station in Nonthaburi. All three were charged with jointly committing a premeditated killing and with concealing the circumstances of the crime.
Police asked the Nonthaburi Provincial Court to place the suspects in pretrial detention and argued against release on bail. The case was still at an early stage, and the court had yet to decide on detention and bail.
Silence on recording before media
As he left the interrogation room, Ek told waiting reporters that he had not acted with prior intent and that he would only give further statements in court.
“I did not act in a planned way; I will make all further statements only in court.”
said Ek, the barbershop owner.
When journalists asked about the audio recording, he ended the conversation and refused to answer additional questions. His lawyer did not comment publicly at the time of reporting.
Side remark on personal relationships
In a side remark, Ek said he maintained a total of 28 relationships but lived with only one partner. The statement related to the personal background of the accused, in which two of the three suspects were considered his partners.
The proceedings remained in their early phase. The court in Nonthaburi had not yet scheduled a trial date and was responsible for decisions on bail and pretrial detention.