RATCHABURI — Thai police are hunting four masked assailants who brutally attacked a Myanmar couple in Ratchaburi Province, central Thailand, despite the victims pleading for their lives with traditional Thai begging gestures.
The attack occurred on July 29 around midnight as the couple was riding their motorcycle from their dormitory to their night shift job. Security cameras captured the entire incident clearly, according to Photaram police.
Da Win, 31, a Myanmar woman, recounted the incident through a Karen interpreter to reporters and village head Thitipan Buaphu of Moo 4, Ban Khong subdistrict, Photaram district, where the attack took place.
“My husband and I were riding to work when four men wearing caps and face masks rushed toward us at the entrance to our alley,” Da Win said. “I immediately raised my hands in a wai gesture, begging for our lives, and said ‘Are you mistaking us for someone else? We’ve never had problems with anyone.’ But they attacked us without saying a word.”
Based on their behavior, she believes the attackers may also be Myanmar nationals.
CCTV footage shows one attacker dragging the woman off the motorcycle before kicking and stomping on her. Meanwhile, two others used wooden weapons and brass knuckles to assault her husband, causing serious injuries. All four suspects fled quickly after the attack.
The husband rushed his wife to the hospital, where she was treated for forehead injuries, a fractured cheekbone, body abrasions, headaches, and rib pain. The husband sustained injuries to his legs and torso. The couple filed a police report the following day at Photaram Police station.
“I want to plead with police officers to help track down the perpetrators and prosecute them. I want to know why they hurt us,” the Myanmar woman said.
Da Win explained that she and her husband had worked in the area for over six years without problems, except for a neighbor who had previously argued with them about parking and had gotten into a physical altercation the previous month. However, no police report was filed then.
In the latest incident, investigators questioned the neighbor, who insisted he had no knowledge of or involvement in the attack, as he had left for work 5-10 minutes before it occurred.
Police described the case as involving extremely violent behavior, noting that the attackers continued their assault even after the woman pleaded for mercy with traditional gestures. “This is violent conduct showing no fear of the law,” an officer said. “We are currently tracking down all four suspects for prosecution.”
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