Video footage shared on social media showed the victim, Chatchai Sae-Ku, 46, of Moo 6, Wichit, exiting the car he was travelling after it was struck from behind by his attacker, later identified as Nattapol Sawangchaeng, a resident of Moo 1, Chalong.
Sword in hand, Nattapol circled Chatchai while brandishing a sword and filming the scene with his phone.
According to police, the two men had an argument over a construction contract fee. After the argument Nattapol chased down Mr Chatchai and crashed into the car he was in, forcing Mr Chatchai to stop.
During the video Nattapol is seen kicking Mr Chatchai several times in the head.
Not clarified by police is that photos circulating online of Mr Chatchai’s leg show a wound that required about 30 stitches to close. Another wound on the same leg required at least eight stitches to close.
When Mr Chatchai exited his car, his left leg was already bandaged.
Wichit Police were called to the scene, some 450 metres from Chao Fa West Rd, just before 3pm. By the time officers arrived, both men had left the scene separately.
According to witnesses, Nattapol and Mr Chatchai, who had prior dealings, became embroiled in a dispute over a construction contract fee. The argument escalated into a chase before culminating in the violent confrontation.
By 6:30pm Friday, police had Nattapol in custody. He was charged with multiple offenses, including premeditated assault, coercion, public possession of a weapon, causing property damage, reckless driving, and illegal use of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine).
Police seized from Nattapol his white MG pickup truck, registered in Bangkok, and a 25-inch sword sheath. Officers confirmed that he had tested positive for methamphetamine use.
Nattapol was informed of his legal rights, questioned, fingerprinted and detained pending further investigation, police confirmed.
Additional reporting Eakkapop Thongtub