Pol Lt Sarawut Phutthaphonphiban of the Patong Police was informed of the stabbing at 5:35am. Apparently a “good citizen” called the police to report finding a man dead on the footpath in front of a karaoke venue on Phra Metta Rd at the southern end of Patong.
Pol Lt Col Naruphon Phrutinont and investigators soon arrived at the scene, along with an EMS team from Patong Hospital and rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation.
The man, later identified as Itthinan Khola, 24, from Nong Bua Lamphu, had died from a stab wound to his right chest. His body was taken to Patong Hospital.
Mr Itthinan was an employee at a different karaoke venue further down the street, police confirmed.
Before he was found dead, Itthinan was seen involved in an argument with a group of people inside the karaoke where he worked,
Police believe that at least one of the group waited for Mr Itthinan to exit the karaoke where he worked when the venue closed, then attacked him.
Mr Itthinan tried to flee but made it only as far as another karaoke down the street before he collapsed and died, police postulated.
Officers found one man, Nachat Rattanarat, 32, from Surat Thani, walking on the street with bruises and abrasions to his face when police arrived.
Mr Nachat worked at the same karaoke where Mr Itthinan worked.
Police took him into custody, then took him to Patong Police Station for questioning.
Police are continuing their investigation.
Police have not yet named the karaoke where Mr Itthinan worked.