The attack left 25-year-old Kantawut Preecha from Nakhon Sri Thammarat seriously injured with stab wounds to his neck, chest and arm. He was rushed by friends to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, where doctors later confirmed his condition was stabilised and he was out of immediate danger.
Phuket City Police said the incident took place at around 11:05pm at the Rhythm pub on Tilok U-Thit 1 Rd. CCTV footage reviewed by investigators showed the attacker walking up to the victim from behind before stabbing him three or four times with a pocketknife, then fleeing the premises.
The suspect, identified as Thirayut Thammapetch, escaped in a brand-new white BMW Z4 bearing Bangkok licence plates (ฐ-8888). The vehicle was later found abandoned near Poonphol Night Plaza and seized as evidence.
Thirayut is the grandson of Kraiwat Thammapetch, currently serving as Mayor of Phatthalung Town.
According to police, the victim had been drinking with his girlfriend at the time of the assault. She later told investigators that the attacker was her former boyfriend, with whom she had ended a four-year relationship just three months earlier. She had only recently started seeing Kantawut.
Phuket City Police Chief Pol Col Chatree Chukaew and investigating officer Pol Lt Col Udom Petcharat confirmed that the motive appeared to stem from jealousy.
“The suspect is the ex-boyfriend of the victim’s girlfriend and was aware of their relationship,” investigators noted.
Police are now preparing an arrest warrant and confirmed that the suspect has already made contact through relatives to arrange his surrender.