Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he disagrees with calls for capital punishment for all rape and murder cases following the killing of a female teacher in Saraburi last Friday that sparked public uproar.
His comments came amid growing anger towards the suspect, Chatree Ruamsungnoen, who has been detained for allegedly raping and slashing the throat of 27-year-old teacher Chularat Towanna.
Chularat, of Saeng Witthaya School, was killed in her room on Sut Banthat Road in Kaeng Khoi district of Saraburi province. She was Chatree's neighbour.
The 27-year-old suspect, who was released from prison in August last year, was arrested last Saturday, the day after the incident.
Police cancelled a reenactment of the crime on Sunday for fear of a lynch mob, though public anger over the crime remains unwavering, with some netizens calling on social media for the death penalty for rapists.
"Please look at what other countries do," Gen Prayut reacted, urging capital punishment supporters not to completely base their thoughts on emotions.
Many countries have abandoned death sentencing, he said, adding that even if "three executions" were the legal punishment for murder, it may still not be enough to deter criminals.
Gen Prayut said severe penalties alone cannot prevent rapes.
The public and media must help the government put pressure on potential criminals to deter them from committing heinous acts, Gen Prayut suggested.
Meanwhile, Chatree yesterday backtracked on his confession, saying he did not mean to rape the teacher, intending only to steal her possessions.
It was only when the teacher woke up and screamed that he became frightened and killed her, according to Provincial Police Region 1 chief Pol Lt Gen Chaiwat Ketworachai.
In an earlier confession, Chatree told police he attempted to rape the teacher but she fought back so he killed her.
The suspect will be placed in solitary confinement to prevent him from being assaulted by other inmates who may of learned of his alleged attack.
According to investigators, Chatree has committed similar offences on two other occasions.
He was jailed for almost two years for raping his friend's wife.
He was released from prison 10 months ago.
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon said he wants to hear more views from lawmakers on the issue of capital punishment.
He shares the view of deputy permanent secretary for justice Tawatchai Thaikyo who has warned against imposing such a heavy penalty indiscriminately on convicts in fatal rape cases.
If all rapists were destined for death, more of them may feel the "urge" to kill their victims to cover up their wrongdoings, Mr Tawatchai wrote on his Facebook page.
Each case of rape is different and requires a thorough investigation before a court can hand down a final judgement, he said.
Deputy permanent secretary for justice Kobkiat Kasivivat said the government treats rape convicts as people suffering a mental disorder.