Buriram: Five serious charges have been filed against a 34-year-old man accused of attacking a monk with a knife and setting fire to his body. The monk, who remains in a coma, was severely injured in the incident. Preparations are underway for the man's detention.
According to Thai News Agency, the accused, identified as Mr. Phitsanu or Jay, broke into the monk's quarters and attacked Phra Maha Suphatin, also known as Luang Ta The, a 70-year-old temple boy at Wat Ban Nai in Huai Rat District, Buriram Province. The monk, who is disabled and reliant on a wheelchair, suffered severe wounds to his face and arms before being set on fire. He is currently in critical condition in the ICU at Buriram Hospital.
Mr. Phitsanu is being held at Huai Rat Police Station and reportedly appears normal, showing no signs of stress. A urine test revealed drugs in his system, aligning with his admission of consuming six methamphetamine pills prior to the crime. The police plan to conduct further questioning and send him for physical and mental evaluations before presenting him to Buriram Provincial Court for detention.
The investigators have charged Mr. Phitsanu with: breaking into a house at nighttime with force and a weapon, carrying a weapon without reasonable cause, attempted premeditated murder by torture or cruelty, driving under the influence of Category 1 narcotics, and using Category 1 narcotics unlawfully.
The mother of the accused visited him at the police station, where he asked for money to post bail. She expressed her inability to provide bail and stated that her son needs to face the consequences of his actions. When questioned about his motives, Mr. Phitsanu claimed that something had possessed him, causing him to harbor a grudge against the monk, despite having no previous interactions with him.