Suspected killer claims self-defence

SAMUT PRAKAN: A 21-year-old driver arrested for stabbing his Chinese employer to death has claimed self-defence, telling police his boss had held him at knifepoint and demanded that he perform oral sex.

Sitthiya Netiwanpong was yesterday apprehended at his girlfriend’s house in Lat Krabang district, Bangkok, where he was hiding.

Wang Ping, 56, a Chinese national, was found dead in the restroom on the second floor of WEP Industrial Co in tambon Bang Phla of Bang Phli district, after police and rescue workers called to the scene arrived at 3.30pm on Monday, said Pol Lt Col Suraran Sribooncharoenchai, chief investigator in Bang Phli.

Wang, who ran the firm, had 12 stab wounds to his body. A pair of black gloves and a cloth bag containing a bloodstained machete were found in the sink.

Investigators learned that the murder suspect had been the victim’s driver. Mr Sitthiya reportedly fled the scene in a company van.

Police later found the van parked at the slain man’s house in the Prueksa housing estate in tambon Bang Poo, Muang district, Samut Prakan. Mr Sitthiya had left on his bike, which had been parked at the house, police said.

Mr Sitthiya said he had worked as Wang’s driver for two years and they had had no disputes.

He said he and his boss had been together in a meeting room on the second floor. Mr Sitthiya claimed his employer had used his hand to touch his legs and tried to molest him.

Mr Sitthiya claims to have fended off Wang, who then put a knife to his neck and forced him to go to the restroom, where his boss demanded that he perform oral sex on him. When Wang started to pull down his pants, Mr Sitthiya claims he grabbed the knife, stabbed the man to death and fled.

Police charged Mr Sitthiya with murder and have remanded him in custody.