Chinese Man Stabbed to Death in Na Jomtien, Thai Student Charged with Murder
Chinese Man Stabbed to Death in Na Jomtien, Thai Student Charged with Murder
CHONBURI, 9 Aug 2026 — A 20-year-old Thai college student has been charged with murder after a 20-year-old Chinese man was stabbed to death inside a room in Na Jomtien, Sattahip district, Chonburi, on August 8, police said.
The victim, identified as Cao Ke, was found dead at about 7:10am inside accommodation in Soi Na Jomtien 30. Police said he had suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and arms and was found lying in a pool of blood at the foot of a bed.
Cao was reportedly the son of the owner of a luxury yacht.
A 21-year-old woman, identified as Kanyarat, was also injured in the incident. Police initially focused their investigation on the relationship between the people involved.
Suspect leads police to knife
At about 2:30pm, officers from Na Jomtien Police Station took the suspect, Thanachot, 20, to his girlfriend’s room to reconstruct the alleged incident.
During the reconstruction, Thanachot reportedly showed officers where he had discarded the knife after the incident. Police searched an area of dense grass and undergrowth behind the room using a metal detector and recovered a curved folding knife, which is believed to have been used in the stabbing.
The weapon was seized for forensic examination.
Relatives of the deceased Chinese man arrived during the reconstruction and were reportedly seen crying. Some attempted to confront the suspect physically, but police intervened and quickly removed him from the scene.
Suspect and girlfriend give different accounts
According to police, Thanachot told investigators that he had been in a relationship with Kanyarat for about three months. He said he had travelled to Pattaya for work on the night before the incident and returned the following morning before going to his girlfriend’s room.
He allegedly said he opened the door and found an unfamiliar man inside. Thanachot said he questioned the man while holding a knife to intimidate him.
According to his account, the Chinese man attempted to take the knife and use it against him, leading to a physical struggle in which the two men choked each other.
Thanachot claimed he eventually regained control of the knife and stabbed Cao several times. He told police he had not intended to kill him and fled towards Pattaya after the incident. He later surrendered after learning that Cao had died.
Kanyarat, however, gave investigators a different account.
She said she worked at a hotel and had known Cao for about two months after he had visited the hotel on several occasions. She said Cao came to her room at around midnight, where they talked before falling asleep.
According to Kanyarat, her boyfriend returned the following morning and knocked on the door. After she opened it, the three spoke before an argument escalated into violence.
She said she attempted to intervene but suffered several knife injuries and was unable to stop the two men. She alleged that her boyfriend then stabbed Cao.
Police examine CCTV and forensic evidence
Chonburi forensic officers examined the room, surrounding area and other locations connected to the case.
Police are also reviewing CCTV footage, questioning witnesses and collecting forensic evidence as investigators work to establish the sequence of events and determine the circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing.
The suspect has been charged with murder, with police continuing their investigation and legal proceedings.
