A 20-year-old Thai technical student has been arrested after a Chinese man was allegedly stabbed to death inside a rented room in Chonburi, Thailand, following a confrontation involving the suspect’s girlfriend.
The incident happened at around 7.10am on Aug. 8 at a rented room along Soi Na Jomtien 30 in Na Jomtien, Sattahip district, according to local media reports.
The victim was identified as a 20-year-old Chinese man surnamed Cao.
A 21-year-old Thai woman who was inside the room was also reportedly injured during the confrontation and was left in shock following the incident.
Suspect Allegedly Returned To Find Another Man In Room
Police said the suspect was a 20-year-old vocational student who had been dating the woman for around three months.
According to his initial account to investigators, he had travelled to Pattaya for work the night before and returned to the rented room in the morning.
When he opened the door, he allegedly found an unfamiliar man inside with his girlfriend.
The suspect reportedly confronted the man and asked who he was.
A confrontation then broke out.
According to the suspect’s account, the Chinese man was holding a knife and allegedly attempted to threaten him.
Police said the two men subsequently struggled over the weapon.
During the altercation, the Chinese man allegedly attempted to take the knife and use it to harm himself, before the suspect managed to regain control of the weapon.
The suspect then allegedly stabbed the Chinese man several times.
He subsequently fled the scene and returned towards Pattaya.
Chinese Man Dies At Scene
Emergency responders were called to the rented room after the stabbing.
The Chinese victim was found with multiple injuries and was pronounced dead.
The 21-year-old woman was also injured and reportedly suffered wounds to several parts of her body.
She was taken for medical treatment.
The suspect later learned that the Chinese man had died.
He subsequently surrendered himself to police at Na Jomtien Police Station.
At around 2.30pm, police investigators arrested the suspect and brought him back to the room as part of their investigation.
He was reportedly charged with intentional murder.
Police Find Alleged Weapon In Bushes
Investigators later searched the area behind the rented room after the suspect allegedly told them where he had discarded the weapon.
Police used metal detectors while searching through dense vegetation.
They eventually recovered what was described as a curved folding knife with a pointed blade, which investigators believe was the weapon used during the confrontation.
The knife was taken as evidence for further forensic examination.
Police are also examining CCTV footage from the area and gathering forensic evidence as part of the investigation.
Woman Says Victim Had Been Visiting Her
The woman involved in the incident reportedly told investigators that she had known and communicated with the Chinese man for approximately two months.
She said the victim had arrived at the accommodation at around midnight on the night before the incident.
The pair reportedly talked for several hours before the Chinese man eventually fell asleep.
The suspect then returned the following morning.
An argument allegedly broke out after he discovered the Chinese man inside the room, eventually escalating into a physical confrontation.
The woman was reportedly injured while attempting to intervene.
Relatives Allegedly Confront Suspect
Tensions escalated further when the suspect was taken back to the scene during the police investigation.
Local media reported that a group of Chinese relatives connected to the deceased man were present at the location.
The group allegedly attempted to confront and assault the suspect.
Police officers intervened and restrained the group before quickly escorting the suspect back to a police vehicle.
Authorities are expected to question additional witnesses and review CCTV footage to establish exactly what happened inside the room.
Police will also examine forensic evidence from the scene, including the recovered knife, as they continue building their case.
The suspect remains in police custody while investigators proceed with the case under Thai law.