A village witch doctor has been arrested for robbing, raping and killing a Plutaluang woman looking for a spell to enchant her estranged husband.
Suphot Photthip, 52, was apprehended while dirt-biking at the Navy Sports Field in Sattahip May 27, hours after Pinnapha Thumhin, 41, died of herbicide poisoning at Queen Sirikit Naval Medical Center. Police found a bottle of Paraquat, 21,710 baht and Suphot’s gold ring in his possession.
Police bring out Suphot Photthip to face multiple charges, including murder.
Police said the shaman and part-time laborer lured Pinnapha to a grassy field in Taothan under the premise of casting a spell over her that would make her attractive again to her ex-husband. The victim, a somtam vendor in Plutaluang, had been upset by the breakup and also told Suphot she had 50,000 baht saved for a new car.
Police said the suspect had the victim bring the 50,000 baht to the ceremony. He had her lay on the grass and stood over her, chanting incantations. He then had her drink “charmed water,” which was, in fact, a common herbicide that takes only 2 teaspoons to kill a human adult. When she lost consciousness, Suphot raped her, police said, then stole the cash and her gold ring.
Pinnapha, however, didn’t die. A passerby found her half-naked body near the pavilion on Soi Romrudee and took her to the hospital. She survived long enough to give police her statement.
