Initially defiant when
arriving at the scene, confessed murderer Thiwanont Bunruang (striped shirt,
right) had to run for his life when the crowd turned on him, despite
undercover cops doing their best to protect him.
Theerarak Suthathiwong
An Nakhon Phanom man has been arrested for allegedly raping and killing
the owner of a beauty salon located next to the Rong Poh icehouse where he
lives and works.
Thiwanont Bunruang, 21, was apprehended in his hometown Jan. 17 for the
molestation and strangling of Wimol Taechaban, 46, six days earlier.
A near-riot broke out as Region 2 police brought Thiwanont back to the
shophouse to re-enact the crime. Hundreds of neighbors and family members
surrounded police as the suspect arrived, shouting expletives and throwing
oranges and other items. One police officer sustained a bloody head wound in
the melee.
Police said Thiwanont confessed to the crime, and showed officers how, after
drinking until 1 a.m. at a nearby karaoke bar, he returned home and
drunkenly climbed on the roof, then hopped the 1-meter gap between buildings
and went into Wimol’s building.
Police said he saw the victim sleeping and went into her room to touch her.
However, when she awoke, he attacked her and ended up strangling her to keep
her quiet.
Wimol’s aunt, 60-year-old Sa-ing Taechaban, described her niece as a hard
worker who never had gotten involved with any men. “She was loved by all.
This should never have happened,” she said. “We want the suspect to die and
repent in hell.”
