Man arrested for killing wife's parents 12 years ago

Man arrested for killing wife's parents 12 years ago

Murder suspect Kritsanachai Chantrasri, 51, a pharmacist, after his arrest in Bangkok for the murder of his former parents-in-law in Chiang Rai in 2005. An alleged woman accomplice was also caught in Chon Buri. (Photo from lawyer Songkran Atchariyasup's Facebook account)
Murder suspect Kritsanachai Chantrasri, 51, a pharmacist, after his arrest in Bangkok for the murder of his former parents-in-law in Chiang Rai in 2005. An alleged woman accomplice was also caught in Chon Buri. (Photo from lawyer Songkran Atchariyasup's Facebook account)

A pharmacist wanted for stabbing his parents-in-law to death in Chiang Rai after his wife said she was leaving him has been arrested in Bangkok, after 12 years on the run.

Kritsanachai Chantrasri, 51, was apprehended in Don Muang district on Thursday.

Police also arrested Yuphin Panloywong, his former employee, in Chon Buri. The suspects have been charged with colluding in the murder of a couple in Chiang Rai, said Pol Lt Gen Sanit Mahathavorn, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

Mr Kritsanachai, from Chiang Rai’s Muang district, is alleged to have attacked and fatally stabbed Chamlong Boonthathong and his wife Bua, then his parents-in-law, at their house in the northern province on Jan 26, 2005.

Ms Yuphin accompanied her boss to the victims’ house. After the murder, they fled separately, Thai media reported. 

During police questioning, Mr Kritsanachai said he had no intention to kill his parents-in-law. He had problems with his wife and asked Ms Yuphin to accompany him to Mr Chamlong’s house to see her.

While there he had quarrelled with his parents-in-law. He became angry and used his knife to stab them to death,  according to Pol Lt Gen Sanit.

He moved to Don Muang in 2011, where he lived with his new wife, running a grocery store and a food shop.

The two suspects were arrested after lawyer Songkran Atchariyasup took the victims’ daughters, Ratchanok and Ratchadaporn Boonthathong, to lodge a complaint with deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul this week, requesting their apprehension. 

Mr Kritsanachai's former wife, Ms Ratchadaporn told police she had lived with him for two years. He easily became angry and often physically assaulted her. Finally, she decided to leave him.

He flew into a rage and threatened to kill all members of her family, she alleged.

Ms Ratchanok, who witnessed the murder, said Mr Kritsanachai had arrived at the house around 1am on Jan 26, 2005. When her parents opened the door they were confronted by Mr Kritsanachai and Ms Yuphin

Ms Ratchanok said her parents were stabbed to death right in front of her. She was 15 years old at the time and was still haunted by the memory. She had been taking medication ever since.

The two women burst into tears and thanked police after learning of the arrest of the two suspects.

In Chiang Rai, neighbours gathered at the victims’ home in support of the family after hearing the news on Friday, when the suspects were to be taken there for a crime re-enactment.

Liam Boonthathong, 58, elder sister of the slain father-in-law, said she took care of the victims’ house after the murder. Her niece Ratchadaporn had moved out after receiving death threats from her fugitive former husband.

Neighbour Pongsri Khaikham, 58, said Mr Kritsanachai had also phoned nearby residents, threatening to bomb the village if anyone attended the funeral rites for the victims. She said the murdered couple were good people and the two suspects should face the death sentence.

Neighbours arrive at the victims' house in Chiang Rai on Friday ahead of the crime re-enactment.(Photo by Chinpat Chaimon)


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