A British businessman was found dead from stab wounds at his luxury villa in Pattaya, Thailand, and his 20-year-old wife has been arrested on suspicion of his murder. Police said the 33-year-old victim was attacked with a 20-inch hunting knife.
His body was discovered on Thursday morning by a friend who became concerned after being unable to reach the man by phone. The friend went to the couple's villa in the Bang Lamung district, found the property in disarray, and discovered the body in the shower before alerting authorities. Police estimate the man had been deceased for about six hours before discovery.
The wife claimed her husband committed suicide, stating he had been using cannabis and taking Valium daily. However, investigators found evidence at the scene that they say contradicts her account, including cuts on her fingers and signs of a struggle. The hunting knife, allegedly used in the attack, was found in the kitchen sink, apparently washed and wiped clean.
Police Colonel Nattapon Phongsuksakul stated that the victim, who reportedly ran a large cannabis farm, sustained multiple stab wounds to his back. He added that the location of the wounds made suicide unlikely and that washing the knife suggested an attempt to conceal evidence.
Neighbors reported that the couple had moved into the villa only two weeks prior and were frequently heard arguing. One resident recalled hearing loud barking the previous night, and a delivery courier was unable to get a response at the door around 2 a.m., which raised suspicions.
Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from inside the house to establish the sequence of events. According to police, the incident occurred shortly after 4 a.m. The wife reportedly contacted a friend in England via WhatsApp to report her husband's death. This friend then contacted another friend in Thailand, who checked the house. Police noted that no medical or police assistance was sought for several hours after the incident.
Thailand decriminalized marijuana in 2022, becoming the first Asian nation to do so. However, the lack of regulations has led to a rise in unregulated sales and use, particularly in tourist areas, and has been linked to public disorder. Government officials are now proposing to ban recreational cannabis use and require medical certificates for its purchase.
