BANGKOK – Police in Phetchaburi have arrested a 33-year-old Indian man after a post-mortem found an eight-year-old boy died from a subdural haemorrhage and torn internal organs, injuries consistent with assault.
The suspect says he was only the child’s carer and has denied all allegations.
According to a police spokesperson, the boy, identified as Noni O, was found dead on 9 November at a house at Phu Fa Ngam 3 estate, Sam Phraya Road, Cha-am, Phetchaburi. He had froth at the mouth, several bruises, and bloodstains on the bed. There were no signs of a struggle at the scene.
The boy’s body was sent to the forensic unit at Phrachomklao Hospital in Phetchaburi. Doctors reported bleeding under the brain’s covering, bleeding in the chest cavity, a ruptured stomach, and multiple blunt-force injuries. These findings matched severe physical assault.
After a case meeting, Pol Col Apirak Permchai, superintendent of Cha-am Police Station, and Pol Lt Col Sunthorn Phramsang, inquiry officer, reviewed evidence and identified several concerns. Investigators learned the child was living with Mr. Kanthoran Singh, a 33-year-old Indian national, and that only the two of them were at the home at the time.
On 10 November, officers obtained a Phetchaburi Provincial Court warrant No. 506/2568 on the charge of causing death by assault. A police team detained Mr. Singh at the same residence and took him to the Cha-am police station for further questioning.
The suspect has denied all charges. Police are continuing to interview witnesses and gather evidence to proceed with the case.
Thailand’s criminal justice system treats violence against children with the harshest penalties under the Thai Penal Code and the Child Protection Act. Offences against minors are classed as aggravated, especially where sexual violence, weapons, or an intent to cause serious harm are involved. Key legal points include:
- Sections 295 to 300 (Bodily harm): These provisions cover intentional injury. If the assault causes death, the charge can escalate to murder under Sections 288 to 294. Sentences range from 15 to 20 years, life imprisonment, or the death penalty. Executions are rare and often commuted.
- Sections 276 to 278 (Rape and sexual assault): For sexual offences against minors, sentences can reach up to 20 years. If the victim dies, the penalty can be life imprisonment or death. Courts may increase penalties by one-third when the victim is a vulnerable person, such as a child.
In March 2025, Thailand prohibited all corporal punishment of children. Violence by parents or guardians now falls under the general assault provisions in Sections 295 to 300. This reform strengthens legal protection, but it does not apply to offences committed before the change.
Investigations typically rely on medical reports, witness statements, and police inquiries. The Royal Thai Police reported clearing 93% of more than 500,000 cases in 2024, including child exploitation cases. Even so, underreporting remains common due to stigma and family pressure.
