BURIRAM, THAILAND – A 16-year-old boy was fatally attacked during a Songkran celebration in Khaen Dong district, and two suspects were later charged with premeditated group murder.
Night-time attack outside subdistrict office
The attack occurred at around 11:30 p.m. on 14 April in front of the Khaen Dong subdistrict administrative office in Buriram province. According to police, the 16-year-old boy, identified only as Ne, was assaulted there by a group of youths.
The victim was taken with severe injuries to Khaen Dong Hospital. He later died from his wounds, police said.
Two suspects arrested and questioned
Pol. Col. Paphatchai Petnok, acting chief of Khaen Dong Police Station, ordered the arrest of two suspects: an 18-year-old and another youth under 18. Both were brought back to the scene for a crime reconstruction.
The reconstruction took place at the location of the attack. It was used to compare their accounts with collected physical evidence and witness statements.
More than 20 youths allegedly involved
Police said the two suspects were allegedly involved in the assault together with more than 20 other people. At first, both denied having personally stabbed the victim but admitted being part of the group.
Investigators believed the attack might have been premeditated. Several suspected weapons were seized at the scene.
Weapons deliberately taken to festival
According to police, the circumstances indicated that weapons were deliberately brought to the Songkran celebration. The incident raised questions over how armed clashes could occur at public events.
Songkran was widely celebrated as a lively street festival with large crowds continuing late into the night. Security measures varied depending on the venue and the responsible authorities.
Confession and alleged motive
The 18-year-old suspect later confessed and described the sequence of events to investigators. As a motive, he cited an earlier rivalry with the victim.
He also confirmed that the group had taken weapons to the event. Investigators said his statement would serve as a central piece of evidence in the ongoing proceedings.
Victim’s mother demands justice
The victim’s 40-year-old mother, Sumalee, said her son had asked permission to attend the Songkran celebration. She agreed, saying that such a visit did not seem unusual to her.
At the hospital she learned how serious his condition was. In tears, she demanded justice and described her son as a dedicated student who had been about to move into upper secondary school with a focus on science and mathematics.
Murder and weapons charges filed
Police filed charges of premeditated murder committed as a group, as well as carrying weapons in public. Authorities said further legal steps were being prepared.
Other youths who were present at the scene but were reportedly not directly involved in the attack had not yet been charged. Investigators were focusing on clarifying the roles of individuals within the group.