A 19-year-old man was arrested after his French father was found beaten to death with a hammer at their home in Phra Khanong area of Bangkok.
Police were called to the three-storey townhouse in Soi Pridi Banomyong 13, Watthana district, on Sunday afternoon. They were accompanied by forensic officials and rescue workers.
They found a 52-year-old Frenchman dead in a pool of blood on the first floor. He had major head injuries. A bloodied metal hammer was on the floor. It was not reported who found the body.
Neighbours told police the man and his son had quarrelled loudly for about 15 minutes on Friday evening. Since then, the house had been dark and silent.
The wife of the deceased man said the family had formerly lived together in the house, but her husband drank a lot so she and her son moved out. The woman said her son often quarrelled with his father.
Pol Lt Col Prasert Chan-aksorn, deputy chief at Klong Tan station, led police to arrest the 19-year-old son at a condominium in Thong Lor area. They found bloodstained shoes in the room.
Police suspect the young man had a quarrel with and then killed his father with the hammer found at the scene.
Rescue workers told police they had previously visited the townhouse twice to take the son for mental treatment. He refused to go.
The suspect was being held in police custody for legal action. Names were withheld.