RATCHABURI: A former kamman in Pak Tho district of this lower Central province was arrested for allegedly murdering a woman out of jealousy and causing damage to other people's property early on Sunday, police said.
Pol Lt Col Boon-ek Sapkong, a Pak Tho police duty officer, said the incident occurred at about 4.30am in front of a food shop-cum-karaoke outlet named Chanpen Karaoke on Pak Tho-Samut Songkhram road.
Eyewitnesses told police that Kittima Im-uthorn, 41, the operator of the shop, was talking with clients and employees after the shop closed at midnight when Rawi Chokchichanond, 60 -- with whom she was said to be romantically involved -- arrived at the shop in his Mercedes Benz. Mr Rawi is a former kamnan of tambon Chom Prathat in Wat Phleng district.
After seeing Ms Kittima with her clients, witnesses said, Mr Rawi became jealous and had a heated argument with her. He rushed to his car, they said, grabbed a knife, returned to the shop and stabbed her repeatedly. Ms Kittima suffered wounds to her rib cage, abdomen and left arm.
Despite her injuries, they said, Ms Kittima ran out of the shop and tried to flee on a motorcycle. Mr Rawi gave chase in his Mercedes Benz, hit a client's BMW, crashed into three motorcycles and then hit another car.
Ms Kittima, who was trying to flee on one of the three motorcycles, was killed.
Mr Rawi, who witnesses said appeared heavily drunk, was apprehended shortly afterwards and taken to the police station for questioning.
He was initially charged with murder, drink-driving and causing damage to other people's property.
