A woman has been arrested in Phuket after allegedly killing her 74-year-old mother-in-law with a kitchen knife following an argument at their home on Friday.
Police were alerted to the incident at a house in Chalong, Mueang district, at about 9.25am after neighbours reported the alleged attack.
The victim, identified as Chantra, was found dead inside the residence, while the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Sri, was discovered in the bathroom after neighbours had restrained her before police arrived.
Initial investigations found that the two women were alone at home when an argument allegedly broke out, leading to Sri reportedly grabbing a kitchen knife and attacking her mother-in-law.
Sri was arrested at the scene and taken to Chalong Police Station for further questioning before being charged with murder. Chantra’s body was later sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police said the victim’s son, who is also the suspect’s husband, had left for work shortly before the incident, leaving both women at home.
The husband told investigators that the two women had lived together for more than 10 years and that Sri had previously helped care for Chantra’s daily needs. He also said his wife had been receiving treatment for a psychiatric condition since 2016.
A neighbour, identified as 34-year-old Thapanee, said she noticed the elderly woman lying near the doorway while passing by the house and initially thought she had collapsed.
She later returned after informing relatives and noticed blood at the scene, prompting neighbours to contact the authorities.
Police are continuing investigations to determine the motive behind the incident and the circumstances that led to the fatal attack.
