Fatal Stabbing On New Year’s EveMYANMAR MAN DIES AFTER FIGHT ON PIER

Fatal Stabbing On New Year’s Eve

MYANMAR MAN DIES AFTER FIGHT ON PIER

There was a tragic end to 2025 as a Myanmar migrant worker was stabbed during an argument between two groups that had gathered on the Hua Hin Fishing Pier, with the incident occurring shortly before midnight. Police from Hua Hin Police Station were called to reports of a serious assault and found the victim seriously injured; he was rushed to Hua Hin Hospital, but unfortunately died from the injuries sustained. The victim has since been identified as Mr Her Hai Yin, aged 20, and on 3rd January the superintendent of Hua Hin Police Station, Pol Col Kampanat Na Wichai, announced that one man had been arrested and two others had been detained in connection with the assault.

According to statements from the victim’s friends, they had been sitting and drinking alcohol at the pier prior to the attack. One person in the group allegedly threw a glass bottle onto the ground, causing it to shatter loudly. The sound reportedly drew the attention of another group sitting nearby, who approached to warn them about the disturbance. The confrontation escalated into violence, with the victim being surrounded and assaulted by the suspects. Witnesses said his friends fled the scene in panic, leaving him alone as he suffered heavy bleeding from a wound to the neck and cried out for help. Officers attending the scene found numerous broken liquor and beer bottles scattered across the ground, along with bloodstains. An urgent investigation was immediately begun, with investigators gathering intelligence in the area which led to the locating and detaining of the three suspects at their homes in the Nong Kae area. The suspects include one 18-year-old found in possession of a knife believed to have been used in the attack and two other young men aged 19 and 20.

No information has yet been disclosed regarding any specific charges, court dates or legal representation, but the incident appears to be neither premeditated nor with intent to kill, and is simply an argument that got out of hand, almost certainly fueled by alcohol, that has had the ultimate consequences for the victim, and likely devastating consequences on one or more of the suspects and their families. Possession of knives in public without a “reasonable purpose or explanation”, with specific restrictions on blade length (over 60mm) and location, is illegal in Thailand, and if it is proven that the man arrested with the knife used it in the assault, he could face up to 15 years, possibly 20, in prison. Sentences and other punishments are normally less if someone confesses to a crime, and while there are no official figures, it generally seems that a high proportion of people arrested and charged do admit their culpability.

Above: Hua Hin Fishing Pier, at the north end of Naresdamri Rd

The murder rate in Thailand has reportedly been decreasing for many years, and is currently estimated to be between 2.3 and 2.6 per 100,000 per year, with some more recent estimates putting it as low as 1.8; as a comparison, that is around double the UK figure, but less than half, and nearly a third of the US numbers; no figures are available for Hua Hin or Prachuap Kiri Khan province specifically, but the general consensus about crime here in general is that it is very low, and the fact that this particular story has made headlines, and has shocked many people seems to indicate that murder/manslaughter is very unusual. Certainly the collective experience of the Citizen Journal team with regard to Hua Hin, which stretches back over more than 20 years, is that violent crime in general here is very rare, and the greater danger for foreigners is from vehicle accidents, and notably on motorbikes.

For tourists or other short term visitors to Hua Hin, the chances of encountering crime, based on available data and experience, are infinitessimally small, and many would encounter the complete reverse; if they accidentally leave or drop a phone, a wallet or some other valuable item somewhere, there is a high chance that they will get it back, either through someone chasing after you immediately, or through some kind and diligent detective work via social media, or simply left in place until you realise and retrace your steps. The kindness and honesty of the Thai people in many situations here is remarkable in comparison to most ‘developed’ countries – if you are walking along a road that is a long way from anything, it is extremely common for a passing car or motorbike to stop and offer a lift, with nothing expected in return, and similar if you are experiencing vehicle issues and are stopped at the side of the road, perhaps broken down or run out of fuel – you will, more often than not, have someone offer to help. Sadly the young man from Myanmar encountered a rare dark side of Thailand, and we hope that justice will prevail.

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