Udon Thani: Udon Thani City Police have arrested the drug addict grandson who stabbed his 88-year-old grandfather to death. He was hiding in the forest behind the school.

According to Thai News Agency, rescue workers were notified of a physical assault at Ban Don Hat, Tambon Sam Phrao, Amphoe Mueang, Udon Thani Province. The victim, Mr. Phon, 88, was taken by relatives to the Sam Phrao Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospital. Upon arrival, he was found with multiple wounds on his body, including injuries to his ribs, arms, legs, and a severe head wound. Despite officers’ attempts to resuscitate him and rush him to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. The assailant, identified as Mr. Somrak or Bank, 29, a distant grandson of the deceased, fled the scene with a hooked knife and a long-handled sword, and his whereabouts were initially unknown.

Pol. Col. Pattanawong Chanphon, Superintendent of Udon Thani City Police Station, revealed that prior to the incident, Mr. Bank and another grandson, Mr. Pai, both addicted to methamphetamine, had a dispute over not being able to divide methamphetamine pills. When Ta Phol attempted to intervene, he was accidentally struck by Mr. Bank and subsequently stabbed to death.

This morning, reporters revisited the house where the incident occurred, finding relatives cleaning blood stains from in front of Ta Phol’s door. A funeral ceremony is scheduled for this afternoon at Wat Thammasena, as relatives await the arrival of family members traveling from Bangkok. Cremation is expected to take place tomorrow.

Mr. Nattawut or Fai, a nephew of Ta Phon, recounted hearing Ta Phon pleading not to be harmed before a sudden noise prompted him to flee in shock. He expressed confusion over the motive behind the fatal attack on Ta Phon.

In Don Hat village, the atmosphere remains tense as villagers are frightened and staying indoors, with some locking their homes. Ban Don Hat School has temporarily closed for one day for children’s safety. Social media reports have indicated sightings of the suspect near Sam Phrao Wittaya School, urging public vigilance.