Isaan Sausage Vendor Fatally Stabs Beverage Seller Following Dispute Over Vending Rights

On May 4 at 7:00 AM, Ratchanathhibet Police Station received a report of a stabbing with serious injuries in Pracharuen-Nonthaburi 8 Lane 6, Thaotrai Subdistrict, Muang District, Nonthaburi Province. Officers found 54-year-old Pinit, a beverage vendor, stabbed once in the left chest. Emergency responders rushed him to Mongkut Wattana Hospital.

The suspect was 31-year-old Withayathon, who was sitting in front of a nearby food stall. A 29-year-old relative of the victim, Kittipong, was arguing with the suspect when a fight broke out. Withayathon drew a knife and stabbed Kittipong in the right rib cage once before police arrested him. Kittipong was taken to Phra Nangklao Hospital.

Withayathon stated that he had been selling Isaan sausages in this alley for four years. That morning, he asked the victim if he would collect 1,500 baht monthly rent. When the victim grabbed a metal pole from the shop, Withayathon felt threatened and drew his knife to stab defensively once.

After the stabbing, Withayathon sat at a shop where he had been drinking alcohol the previous night, near the incident site. Kittipong then approached and asked, "Why did you pick a fight with him?" before punching him. Withayathon countered by stabbing with his knife.

Withayathon explained that he had been selling sausages first, and the victim came to sell beverages about a year later after the previous vendor left. The victim wanted to prevent him from selling in front of the shop, though Withayathon's vending area was on public street, not the victim's property. The victim had previously placed 2-3 tables to block his sales. Since both were trying to make a living, and Withayathon had been selling there first, the victim demanded 1,500 baht monthly rent, which Withayathon refused, leading to ongoing conflicts.

At 9:30 AM, Mongkut Wattana Hospital reported that Pinit, the beverage vendor, had died.