Curry Rice Vendor Beaten with Sacred Whip, Wounds Still Unhealed After 10 Days, Fears Madness Following Decade-Long Feud with Neighbor
A 68-year-old curry rice vendor in Nonthaburi province remains bruised and unable to work 10 days after being beaten with a whip by a neighbor during a market dispute that has festered for nearly a decade.
On May 12, 2026, a good citizen reported that a 68-year-old curry rice vendor had been struck with a sacred whip and suffered injuries that remained unhealed after 10 days, preventing her from conducting normal business and losing income. The incident occurred on the morning of May 3, 2026 at a market in Sai Noi district, Nonthaburi province.
When visiting the vendor, identified as Noi (pseudonym), reporters found extensive dark bruises on both her arms, two lacerated wounds, bruises on her shoulder and the back of her neck, and swelling on her head. She had filed a report at Sai Noi police station.
Noi recounted that on the day of the incident, she was sweeping under her table when the wife of the alleged assailant, a dried fish vendor, asked why she was sweeping, claiming her husband had already swept. Noi responded that she was only sweeping under her own table and it didn't concern them. She said her son told her to be quiet, but she couldn't help making a remark, though the neighboring family had been verbally abusive toward her for nearly 10 years. After the wife quieted down, the husband returned with a sacred whip and struck her multiple times while saying "It's good I'm not beating you to death." Someone intervened to stop him. He never came to help with her medical treatment afterward, and she paid for all her own expenses. Both her arms ached severely, making it impossible to cook or lift things.
Noi further explained that people told her the whip belonged to Luang Por Teh Kongthong of Watsamnguam Temple in Nakhon Pathom province. According to local belief, anyone struck with such a whip would go mad. Currently she experiences only arm pain, but during the first three days that Sunday, she felt disoriented and feared losing her mind. She has been unable to sell curry rice for nearly 10 days and doesn't know when she'll recover, with no income since she cannot work.
Aumruay, 85, a retired civic volunteer who intervened to stop the fight, said he witnessed them arguing before the altercation began. He noted that both shops frequently quarrel due to their close proximity, possibly over trash issues. The temple later called police to take the assailant for questioning. Last Sunday, neither shop came to sell because the temple has a rule that both parties cannot sell if they quarrel.
Somboon, 69, a temple monk, stated that this is now a police matter. He explained that the two have frequent disputes over various issues including sweeping garbage and boundary encroachment, though he hasn't been involved in the details. The temple generally issues warnings as it has no special measures, but this is now an assault case. The victim's injuries are severe with extensive bruising. Regarding the weapon, some say it was an electrical cable while others say it was a whip, but he didn't see clearly—only the wounds, which are pitiful.
Initially, police have gathered evidence and are awaiting medical results before summoning the alleged assailant to acknowledge charges and proceed with legal action.
