PATTAYA, Thailand – A 30-year-old woman ran from her home seeking help from neighbours after she was allegedly assaulted and threatened with a knife during an argument with her boyfriend at about 10 a.m. on August 9, in Soi Liang Mueang 5, along the railway road in Nong Prue, East Pattaya.
When officers arrived, they found the injured woman, identified as Ms. Worathanya, 30, seeking help at a local grocery shop. She was reportedly frightened and distressed, with a cut to her hand and marks around her neck consistent with her account of being threatened with a knife.
The woman borrowed a mobile phone from a local resident to contact authorities. She told officers that she had been arguing with her boyfriend before the dispute escalated. She alleged that he assaulted her and held a knife against her neck, prompting her to flee the house and run to nearby residents for help.
Police later went to the house and found the woman’s 38-year-old boyfriend, identified as Mr. Natthawut, still at the property. He was taken in for questioning. Natthawut told police that he and Worathanya had been in a relationship for about three years and frequently argued over jealousy and suspicions about other women. He admitted that he had physically assaulted his girlfriend during the latest argument, but gave a different account of how the injury occurred. He claimed that he handed her a knife during the argument and that she then held it toward him. He said he tried to take the knife away, resulting in a struggle during which she cut her hand.
Natthawut further admitted that, after taking the knife from her, he held it against her neck because he was angry and wanted her to stop arguing and calm down. The woman then ran from the house and sought help from nearby residents. A local resident, who asked not to be identified, told authorities that the woman had previously been seen running from the home seeking help on several occasions. The resident said neighbors had reportedly witnessed the couple arguing and allegedly fighting in the past, but had generally regarded the disputes as a private family matter and avoided getting involved. This time, the resident allowed the woman to use a phone to contact authorities.
Police assisted the injured woman and took both parties to Nongprue Police Station for further questioning. Officers are reviewing witness statements and other evidence before determining the appropriate legal action.
