Karon Police were notified of the incident at about 2:30am after reports of a seriously injured man lying outside a house at 34/10 Patak Rd in Karon.
Responding officers found local resident Sorachai Prateep Na Thalang, 48, known as ‘Ae’, suffering from multiple slash wounds and lying in a pool of blood. Rescue workers provided first aid before rushing him to Chalong Hospital.
However, Sorachai later succumbed to his injuries. His body was subsequently transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
The suspect, identified by police as Suphakit Thaweeras, 37, remained at the scene and surrendered to officers. He allegedly admitted attacking Sorachai with a sword and handed the weapon over to investigators as evidence.
According to Pol Lt Col Charas Lempapan, the investigating officer at Karon Police Station, initial investigations found that the incident stemmed from an earlier dispute during a drinking session at a restaurant near Rawai Beach.
Police said Sorachai had been drinking alone at home before being invited by a friend, Kritsada Mukthiep, 38, to join a group of friends at the restaurant. Suphakit later arrived and joined the gathering.
While drinking, an altercation reportedly broke out near the restaurant’s restroom, where Sorachai allegedly grabbed Suphakit by the neck. Following the dispute, Suphakit returned to his home in Karon.
Police said Sorachai and another friend later travelled to Suphakit’s house and called for him to come outside to continue discussing the disagreement.
The confrontation escalated into a heated argument, which woke Suphakit’s wife and child. Investigators said Sorachai and his companion allegedly assaulted Suphakit outside the house despite attempts by family members to calm the situation.
According to police, Suphakit retreated inside the house but was followed by Sorachai. His wife, who was carrying their young child, attempted to intervene.
Investigators allege that Suphakit then armed himself with a sword and chased Sorachai and the others from the property, attacking them.
Sorachai sustained fatal injuries during the attack.
A second man, identified as Praphat Saobai, 37, a neighbour who reportedly attempted to intervene, suffered a wound to his right heel.
Suphakit was taken into custody and initially charged with causing bodily harm resulting in death.
Police forensic officers yesterday afternoon conducted a detailed examination of the sword and returned to the scene to collect additional evidence, including blood traces and other material relevant to the investigation.
The case remains under investigation as police prepare evidence for prosecution through the courts.