45-Year-Old Man Attacks Elderly Aunt with Fruit Knife, Kills Her at Durian Stand in Chanthaburi City
A 45-year-old man with a history of mental illness fatally stabbed his 71-year-old aunt at her durian stand in Chanthaburi city on May 21, police say. The suspect, arrested at the scene, is facing premeditated murder charges.
On May 21, 2025, Deputy Chanthaburi Provincial Police Commander Pol. Col. Arkpong Soonthavibat received a report of a shocking stabbing incident at the intersection of Rattanawit Road near Sarakaew Temple in Bang Kacha subdistrict, Muang district, Chanthaburi province. Officers from the Evidence Unit, on-duty doctors from Phra Pokklao Hospital, and Sawang Boriboon rescue volunteers arrived to investigate the fatal stabbing.
At the roadside food stall, authorities found the body of Malay Tangjai, 71 years old, lying face-up in a pool of blood. The victim had multiple stab wounds concentrated on her left buttock, left cheek, and left temple area. Near the scene, police arrested the suspect, Yarnyong, also known as Boy, 45 years old, the victim's biological grandson. He was subdued by civilians and officers and pinned to the ground, speaking incoherently.
A search of Boy's Honda motorcycle (license plate 1GF 9127, Chanthaburi) revealed a blood-stained one-foot-long pointed knife in the front basket. Amid the wailing and cursing of grieving relatives, the investigation proceeded.
During questioning, Malay, 72-year-old mother of the suspect and sister of the victim, tearfully revealed that Boy suffered from mental illness and had been taking medication from Phra Pokklao Hospital for over 20 years. Recently, he experienced severe hallucinations and exhibited paranoid behavior, believing people were plotting to harm him and suspecting relatives wanted to kill him.
Boy had a history of going on destructive rampages and picking fights with the victim's household located nearby. He had even threatened to "kill the whole family." Unable to endure his behavior further, family members had previously filed a police report for his arrest. On the day of the incident, the victim had set up her durian stand along the roadside when Boy rode by on his motorcycle. He suddenly became mentally unstable, drew a knife, and repeatedly stabbed his biological aunt until she died.
Police initially detained Yarnyong for psychological evaluation at the station and conducted a urine test to check for drug use. They coordinated with authorities to obtain his psychiatric treatment history to support the case file. Police formally charged him with premeditated murder and proceeded with legal proceedings.
