Farmer Duan Wangthangmee, 61, and his wife Lamduan, 54, went to see their son’s killer at 11am, held in a cell at Phaholyothin Police Station. Waranyu then kneeled down and bowed to the elderly couple asking forgiveness.

Duan tearfully said they travelled all the way from Surin to see the killer of Nares, their eldest of four children, who also served as the main income earner of their family. The suspect claimed the death was unintentional and vowed to be ordained as a monk to earn merit for Nares after serving time in jail. With this act of apparent repentance, Duan said he and his family forgave the man.

Nares was waiting for his girlfriend in front of Klang Muang Housing Estate near the Ratchadapisek-Lat Phrao Intersection in Bangkok on the evening of May 25 when he was fatally attacked and left to die.

Police also took Waranyu to the Forensic Division yesterday to check samples of his DNA with evidence found at the scene. He also had to undergo a drug test to see if there was any other drug substance in his body besides marijuana. The suspect was taken to the Ratchadapisek Criminal Court to apply for an initial period of detention, until police complete their investigation into the case.