NAKHON PHANOM - A gang of youths on motorcycles chased, stabbed and beat to death a man who was on his way home after watching the annual illuminated boat procession on the Mekong River on Thursday night.
The parents and relatives of the victim condemned the attack as inhumane and asked police to urgently arrest those responsible.
Nopporn Chomchuen, 29, a noodle vendor in Namon village, tambon Ban Phueng, was left dead in a pool of blood on Highway 212 (Nakhon Phanom-Sakon Nakhon route) in tambon Ban Phueng after the attack late on Thursday night.
He had several stab wounds to his body and had been beaten with hard objects, police said after examining the body.
Investigators learned that a group of about 20 youths on motorcycles had chased the victim and his friends, who were riding motorcycles home after watching the annual illuminated boat procession marking the end of Buddhist Lent.
Nopporn’s friends managed to flee them, but he lagged behind. The gang caught Nopporn and brutally beat and stabbed him before leaving.
Residents who witnessed the attack went to help after they left, but could not save him. He died at the scene. Shortly afterward, police detained four youths for suspected of involvement in the savage attack. They were being held for questioning.
Pol Col Kiattiphum Suwannatrai, chief of Muang police station, said other suspects would be arrested soon. He said the attack was probably fuelled by alcohol and the youths intoxicated.
Investigators and forensic officers were continuing to inspect the crime scene on Friday, hoping to gather further evidence.
The victim's parents, Amnuay Chomchuen, 52, and his wife Porn, 56, called on police to urgently bring the suspects to justice.
Mr Amnuay said the attack was unacceptable and inhumane. His son had never quarrelled with members of any gang.