UK woman, 21, arrested in Thailand after allegedly stabbing boyfriend to death

Original article by Natasha May in Bangkok

A 21-year-old British woman has been arrested in Thailand after allegedly fatally stabbing her boyfriend, according to local media reports.

The Bangkok Post reported that on Thursday morning local time, officers found the body of a 34-year-old man, who operated a cannabis farm, in a luxury rental home in the Pattaya area, a beachside region two hours outside of Bangkok known for its large expat population and nightlife.

Police officers found the man lying in a bathroom attached to a bedroom with multiple stab wounds, according to the paper. Police believe the man had been dead for six hours before they arrived.

The victim’s girlfriend was found sitting near the body. Police told the Bangkok Post that a 50cm machete-like knife had been washed clean in a sink.

The woman claimed her partner had injured himself, but investigators found inconsistencies in her account, the paper said.

The Bangkok Post added that the victim’s body appeared to have been moved, while bloodstains and signs of a struggle were found throughout the house.

Images from Pattaya Cable TV show police at the property while the young woman with red hair sits on a couch in a large room with purple curtains. In another clip, the woman is questioned by police outside the home.

Thailand became the first country in Asia to legalise cannabis in 2022, which led to an explosion in marijuana shops across the country. Although new laws were introduced last year banning recreational use, it is still sold widely.

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We are supporting the families of two British nationals in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.”