Bancha Jaichan, 42, from Nan province, was pulled from his white Krabi-registered Toyota Vios halfway down Patong Hill by rescue workers at about 11:30am on Monday after the car had ploughed about 30 metres down the steep slope after striking a motorbike.
Bancha was unconscious and trapped inside the vehicle. He was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.
Meanwhile, while police were responding to the accident, other Kathu Police officers had been called to a rented room on Soi Bangwad, Kathu, where the body of Watsana Dorlao, 31, had been found.
She had been bludgeoned to death.
Only after police questioned Ms Watsana’s neighbours did officers learn that Ms Watsana was Bancha’s wide and that the couple lived in the room together.
Neighbours reported that the couple had been fighting over Ms Watsana having an affair with another man, and that Bancha was seen leaving the room and driving off in his white Vios earlier that morning. (See story here.)
Bancha later regained consciousness at the hospital, Capt Chalermsak Aksornpein of the Kathu Police explained today (Oct 10).
“When we confronted him with what we had learned from investigation Ms Watsana’s death, he confessed to killing her,” Capt Chalermsak said.
“He said he was angered over her having a lover. He admitted that he beat her to death with a mortar*,” he added.
Bancha was subsequently discharged from hospital care and taken to Kathu Police Station, where he was charged with murder, Capt Chalermsak confirmed.
Regarding why Bancha was involved in the accident on Patong Hill, Capt Chalermsak said, “Bancha said he was confused. He was driving toward Patong but then turned around to go back to his rented room.
“He said he was not trying to run away.”
* Correction: Not a pestle, as orignally reported. The error is regretted.