Chiang Mai: A young father, Mr. Sthaporn, 35, was arrested after posting a disturbing video on social media where he was seen holding a knife to his son's neck and smearing his child's face with pig's blood. The police, upon receiving a report from the child's mother, collaborated with the Chiang Mai Special Operations Police and Hang Dong Police Station to locate and apprehend Mr. Sthaporn. It was revealed that he had a previous theft case against him.
According to Thai News Agency, the video showed blood on his daughter's face, and in one clip, the daughter was heard pleading, 'Mom, come help me. Don't you feel sorry for me? I'm hurt so much.' The child's mother reported the incident, believing the attack was a result of a personal conflict with Mr. Sthaporn, prompting her to move out and stay with friends. This move allegedly drove Mr. Sthaporn to such extreme measures to gain attention. The police suspected the incident took place in a forest, as indicated by the surroundings in the video sent to the mother.
The police orchestrated a plan with the child's mother to lure Mr. Sthaporn by having her call him to reveal his location. Although initially elusive, Mr. Sthaporn eventually sent his location, conditioned on the mother arriving alone. Despite his attempts to evade capture by fleeing on a motorcycle, the police, along with the child's mother, persisted in contacting him. Mr. Sthaporn attempted to arrange a meeting at a relative's house, insisting on proof that no police were following the mother.
The police surrounded the meeting area and arrested Mr. Sthaporn when he arrived with his daughter on a motorcycle. The child, witnessing her father's arrest, was visibly upset and assured the police she was unharmed. An examination confirmed no signs of physical assault, and Mr. Sthaporn was taken to Hang Dong Police Station for questioning. During his statement, Mr. Sthaporn denied threatening his daughter with a knife, explaining that the blood was pig's blood used to stage the scene, insisting his actions were motivated by a desire to reunite his family.
Pol. Col. Wirwin Saemsrithanachai, Superintendent of Hang Dong Police Station, informed reporters that the child confirmed she was not harmed, and the initial examination corroborated her statement. Mr. Sthaporn claimed the trip to the temple was genuine, intended for a temple fair visit. Despite the resolution of this particular incident, Mr. Sthaporn faces legal proceedings for a previous theft offense in Chiang Mai. The case involving his daughter has been referred to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security for further investigation into any potential criminal charges.