Town man dies in Thai stabbing
first published Friday 24th Mar 2006.
A man from Colchester has been stabbed to death in Thailand.
Mark Jones, 42, was knifed in the back twice yesterday.
Thai police said his Thai father-in-law has been charged with his killing.
Police Major Jaran Pankratok said Mr Jones had been with his Thai wife Saichai Chantee for about two years and the couple had a one-year-old son.
The stabbing happened at Son Chantee's home in Pak Chong district, Nakorn Ratchasima province, 75 miles north-east of Bangkok, he said.
He would not give details of the case, saying only that it was a "family matter" that involved "marital problems".
A Foreign Office spokesman said Mr Jones was originally from Colchester, but had been living in Thailand for about two years.
Published Friday, March 24, 2006
And The Hearing. 11 months later.
Englishman stabbed to death in Thailand
Wednesday, 14th February 2007, 15:15
Category: Healthy Living
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An Englishman was stabbed to death by his girlfriend's father during a violent row at the home the three shared in Thailand, an inquest heard today.
Mark Jones was knifed twice in the back with a 30cm blade following months of tension which started when monk Son Chantee arrived on his daughter's doorstep.
He moved in with Mr Jones and his girlfriend Saichai Chantee but the three did not get on together.
Southwark Coroner's Court heard the 42 year-old Brit was killed instantly when Son attempted to stop a row between Mr Jones and his girlfriend.
Witness statements read to the court in south London said that Mr Jones was threatening to kill his girlfriend Saichai.
Her father told police he came to her aid, but it was dark, and he had not intended to fatally wound the Brit.
Son Chantee is currently awaiting trial in Thailand for deliberate murder. He has entered a not guilty plea.
Mr Jones's sister Amanda told the hearing her brother had left England three years before his death to teach English in Thailand.
She visited him six months before he was killed and said he was "extremely happy" with his partner and their one year-old son Eddie.
Ms Jones told a hearing her brother had been addicted to heroin, but had stopped using before he left and during her trip in September 2005 he was "a lot happier and healthier than I had seen him in a long time".
However, she said he was unhappy with his domestic arrangement when Saichai's father arrived at their home - although it was owned by him - after living as a monk.
She said her brother was "at the end of his tether with the situation", and was "in turmoil" because he could see no alternative.
She told the hearing that the Thai culture meant the father could not be turned away, although his arrival caused "an atmosphere and a lot of tension".
She continued: "He didn't like Mark. When the baby was born he didn't want the baby to have Mark's name. His girlfriend felt she was torn between the two of them. She was trying to be loyal to her boyfriend and father.
"It was a difficult atmosphere and Mark became depressed. He didn't want to move out, he didn't want to leave his son, but his girlfriend didn't want to leave her father."
Matters escalated, culminating in the fatal attack on "March 22" around 8pm at their home in the Pak Chong district, Nakorn Ratchasima province, 75 miles north east on Bangkok.
The court was told the Mr Jones, originally from Colchester, Essex, had come home after a drinking session and made a loud noise "to show his dissatisfaction".
Witness statements by Mr Chantee and a neighbour said the Brit followed his girlfriend outside and they got into a physical argument.
A statement said Mr Jones pushed Saichai to the ground, stood over her body, put two hands to her throat and said "I'll kill you".
She screamed "Dad, I can't breathe anymore", before Mr Jones was fatally stabbed twice in the back.
In his police statement, alleged murderer Mr Chantee said: "I saw him over her body, he was strangling her with two hands. He pushed me away with one of his hands and I fell to the ground.
"Fearing she would be killed, I ran into the house and I grabbed a knife from the kitchen... I stabbed him twice in the back, but I only wanted him to free Saichai."
He initially fled the scene, but later gave himself up to police.
A post mortem gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.
Coroner John Sampson recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
Outside the coroner's court, Ms Jones and her father Norman said the Brit was "honest, very loyal, humourous and extremely intelligent" and "absolutely adored his son".
Mr Jones said the family were hoping for a guilty verdict when the case is heard in August, although they would not support a death penalty if he was found guilty.
The family still keep in touch with Saichai and her son, and have visited Thailand since Mr Jones's death to see the child
.....before that you used to get a free boat trip to Oz........I wonder if you only Half Killed someone they would drop you off half way, in Thailand, 
..save buying a plane ticket 