RATCHABURI – Four bodies were found with fatal knife wounds in a house in Chom Bung district on Monday morning, a family of three and a close relative, and police believe the glue-addicted son killed them all, including himself. .
Chom Bung police received a report of the tragedy about 10am.
Police dispatched to the scene, a house in tambon Pak Chong, found the body of Somchit Onkham, 56, at the entrance to the kitchen. His wife Thongdaeng Onkham, 53, and their son Somkid Onkham, 31, were also found dead in the house, along with Prayad Phuangsap, 62, who was a relative.
All the victims had slashed throats and other knife wounds to the body. They were all found in pools of blood. A 30cm knife was found near Somkid's body.
The police estimated they had been dead at least six hours before being found by Yupa Duangchuen, a trader who came to the house to make a regular purchase of mushrooms. When no one answered the door she looked inside, saw Somchit's body and quickly told the neighbours and reported it to the police.
Investigators said a preliminary investigation revealed that Somkid was likely to be the murderer. This was based on his background as a glue sniffer who had been committed for rehabilitation several times.
Relatives said Somkid had earlier moved out to stay at his father-in-law’s house in another tambon, but he threatened to burn down the house when he was high on glue so he was sent back to his parents' place.
Somkid had been admitted to a hospital with a stomach problem and was discharged on Sunday night, according to Pol Col Arkhanay Daengdomyut, commander of Chom Bung police.
Police suspect Somkid sniffed too much glue that night, began hallucinating and attacked his parents and auntie, who were having a meal, and later killed himself.
There were signs of violence and blood spashes throughout the house. Neighbours probably did not hear the noise because it was raining heavily about that time, police said.