Police at the checkpoint were put on alert that the man was likely to attempt to flee the island.
A team of officers led by Kathu Deputy Chief Lt Col Chalermchai Hernsawat, Tha Chatchai Deputy Chief Lt Col Nikon Chuthong, Acting Sub-Lt Jeerasak Sangtaworn of the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command, and Second Lt Somchai Jankaew from the 15th Infantry Division arrested Tanya ‘Toom’ Jinda, 26, from Trang at the Phuket Checkpoint at 0:30am today (Oct 31).
Officers seized from him a 21 centimetre knife found his shoe and Suzuki Smash motorbike.
He was taken to Kathu Police Station where he was charged with and confessed to murder and carrying a weapon in public without a permit.
At 11:25pm yesterday (Oct 30), Kathu Police were notified by Patong Police that a man named Ananchai ‘Good’ Yim-on, 27, from Nonthaburi had been severely stabbed and was later pronounced dead at Patong Hospital.
Kathu Police reported that the incident happened in front of a rental room in Soi Suealueang in Kathu, and when they arrived at the scene they found pools of blood on the floor. Mr Ananchai had already been transported to hospital.
An eye-witness to the incident told police that Mr Ananchai and Toom had been arguing and fighting. Toom stabbed Mr Ananchai before speeding away on the motorbike.
Kathu Police immediately placed Tha Chatchai Police on alert to look out for Toom as they believed he was going to try to flee the island.