Tears Flow at Temple During Water Pouring Ritual for Young Man Killed When Wife Drove Car Into Him; Mother Performs Merit-Making Ceremony, Denies One Million Baht Claim
A 38-year-old man was killed in Saraburi when his wife struck him with her car and ran him over; his mother held a merit-making ceremony and denied claims he had stolen one million baht from his wife.
At 4 p.m. on May 7, 2569, a water-pouring ceremony was held at Chiang Khao Temple in Saraburi Province for Aphisit 'Bank' Siphatthanagul, 38, who was struck by a car driven by his wife Areeyawong 'Jib,' 42, and then run over. According to witnesses, after hitting him with her sedan, she got out and stomped on his face before turning herself in to Muang Saraburi Police. The ceremony was attended by city officials and family members.
Bank's mother, Anchalai, 66, addressed claims that her son had taken one million baht from his wife, calling the allegation completely false. She explained that during their time together, the couple lived in her home in Ban Jan Subdistrict, and that Jib did not work and certainly did not have that amount of money. She characterized the incident as a matter of karma, noting that she had previously suggested they end their relationship amicably, which Bank was willing to do, but Jib refused. The mother described ongoing daily quarrels and said Jib had drinking problems and a volatile temperament. She stated she is performing merit-making to prevent further karmic consequences and to allow them both to move forward.
Bank's close friend Eak, using a pseudonym, corroborated that the one million baht claim was false, noting that Bank's life circumstances had not improved—he still drove an old car. The friend suggested any missing money had been spent on their shared life together. He also mentioned that Jib had attempted to stab Bank on previous occasions, particularly when drinking, and became verbally abusive and combative.
Bank's ex-wife Wisa, 36, stated she had minimal contact with Bank, primarily discussing their child. She praised his parenting, noting he was very attentive and took their child everywhere. When they separated, Bank requested custody, saying he wanted a child to anchor his emotions. On the day of the incident, he was supposed to take their child out, but the child was asleep, so Bank told her not to wake him and went out alone on his motorcycle. Wisa said that after their breakup, she had no contact with Bank until his new wife attempted to reach out through her mother, suspecting Bank was still in touch and hinting at possible reconciliation. Jib repeatedly called her mother demanding to know about the contact. Going forward, Wisa stated that child care will be the responsibility of Bank's relatives, as they have been the primary caregivers all along, with occasional visits or outings to be arranged as usual.
Bank's funeral chanting will continue for three nights, with the cremation ceremony scheduled for Sunday, May 10, 2569, at 4 p.m. at Chiang Khao Temple.
