BURIRAM — A 75-year-old Thai man has surrendered to police after accidentally stabbing his New Zealand son-in-law in Buriram Province, in what authorities describe as a tragic misunderstanding during a family dispute.
The incident occurred around 12:30 a.m. on February 6 at a residence in Ban Bo Din village, Phaisan Sub-district of Prakonchai District. Police arrived at the scene to find Eddie, a 60-year-old New Zealand national, suffering from a stab wound to his abdomen. He was immediately transported to Prakonchai Hospital.
The elderly man, identified as Lek, later turned himself in at Prakonchai Police Station, bringing with him the 20-centimeter knife used in the incident. During questioning, he revealed the circumstances that led to the tragic event.
According to Lek, he had been watching the house for his daughter and son-in-law, who live abroad. The couple had just returned to Thailand on February 5 when a family dispute erupted. The conflict centered around Lek’s grandson, Tawat, who allegedly demanded money from his mother for drugs. When told to wait for a currency exchange, Tawat became violent.
“I’ve watched him abuse both his mother and wife multiple times,” Lek explained through tears. “I was determined to protect my family if he returned. When I heard the door open, I reacted without looking and accidentally stabbed my son-in-law instead.”
In a compassionate turn of events, the injured son-in-law has shown understanding for his father-in-law’s actions. Through Lek’s daughter Manit, 40, he expressed his recognition of the incident as unintentional and has encouraged his wife to arrange bail for her father.
Meanwhile, Tawat, the grandson whose actions precipitated the incident, has fled the scene and remains at large.
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