BANGKOK — 29 June 2026, a man accused of slashing a Vietnamese woman with a box cutter has been detained, denying that he hates overweight people and instead claiming he heard voices whispering in his ear. Police have opposed bail, citing a risk of reoffending.
On Monday, in connection with the case of a heavy-set assailant who attacked a foreign woman with a box cutter near the entrance of Silom Soi 5, investigators at Thung Maha Mek Police Station sent 30-year-old Esana (surname withheld), known as Film, to the South Bangkok Criminal Court. He has been charged with “assault causing physical or mental harm.” Police said they will oppose bail, citing concerns that the suspect could reoffend and for public safety.
Before being transferred to court for the detention request, reporters attempted to ask the suspect about his motive for the attack. He spoke in an incoherent and disjointed manner, denying any bias against overweight people. He claimed he acted because he kept hearing voices speaking in his ear and insisted he had never used illegal drugs. He said he weighs about 140 kilograms and alleged he had previously been attacked by a group of teenagers in the Sai Mai area, which he said had caused psychological stress.
When reporters asked whether he wished to apologise to the victim and about the impact of the incident on Thailand’s image, he replied briefly: “I have nothing to say. I already spoke to the victim.”
Police then escorted him into a detention vehicle for transfer to the Bangkok South Criminal Court for remand proceedings. Investigators reiterated their opposition to bail, emphasizing the risk of repeat offending and the need to maintain public safety.