AYUTTHAYA – Police on Monday captured a man who allegedly set his wife ablaze because she refused to move back in with him after he was released from prison, Ayutthaya police chief Pol Maj Gen Korn-eak Phetchaiyawet said on Monday.
Artit Chankham, 30, was apprehended at a friend’s apartment in Soi Nong Daeng in tambon Thanu of Uthai district on a charge of premeditated attempted murder after a day-long manhunt for him.
He was accused of setting Nantawan Pakwichai, 31, on fire on April 20 on Udom Sorayuth Road, Bang Pa-in district, seriously injuring her.
Pol Maj Gen Korn-eak said Mr Artit was jailed on drug charges and released two months ago. He tried to get back together with his wife but she refused because of his aggressiveness and constant involvement with illegal drugs.
Mr Artit allegedly confessed to his crime. He said he was angry at being rejected by Ms Nantawan and prevented by her from seeing his five-year-old son. He was also jealous after learning that his ex-wife was seeing a lesbian. He then bought one litre of petrol and went to talk to her one last time. He set fire to her after she continued to reject him, Pol Maj Gen Korn-eak said.
Ms Nantawan was seriously injured in the attack, with severe burns to about 50% of her body. She is in a critical condition at Rajthanee Hospital.