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.
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.
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.”
