BANGKOK, THAILAND – A young Vietnamese woman was the victim of a cutter knife attack in the heart of Bangkok yesterday.
Attack without warning
The assault occurred on June 27, around 11:30 AM, on Soi Silom 5 in the bustling Silom district. A manager from a nearby 7-Eleven immediately alerted the Thung Maha Mek Station police after a man injured a foreign woman and fled the scene. The 29-year-old victim, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram, is employed by an advertising firm in Thailand. She sustained injuries from the cutter knife attack and required medical attention.
Hunt via camera
The attacker had already disappeared by the time officers arrived. Police promptly utilized CCTV footage from the surrounding area to track the fleeing suspect. They eventually apprehended and arrested the man in a nearby alley. During the search, they secured the presumed weapon, a cutter knife.
The motive
During interrogation, the suspect provided a confession. The 30-year-old, identified as Etsana, known locally as “Film,” admitted to the attack. He stated he targeted the woman because he dislikes overweight people. Police reported that the man is homeless and frequently changes his location.
Victim thanks the police
Following her treatment at the hospital, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram returned directly to the Thung Maha Mek police station. There, she unequivocally identified the arrested individual as her attacker. She expressed her gratitude to the officers for the swift apprehension, facilitated by advanced surveillance technology.
Residents had warned previously
The act of violence did not entirely surprise residents of the Silom area. Reports indicated that some locals had already voiced concerns about the man prior to this incident. It appears Etsana had previously caused disturbances and unrest in the neighborhood, although the specifics of these earlier incidents were not detailed by the police at the time.
Custody and charges
Charges of assault have been filed against the 30-year-old, who is currently in custody awaiting further legal proceedings. The cutter knife was confiscated as evidence, and police investigations are ongoing.