Police probe inspector on alleged spousal assault

Deputy police spokesman Kritsana Phatthanacharoen said yesterday that if the allegations against Pol Lt-Colonel Boonreung Sararam, 49, were proved within 15 days, disciplinary action would be taken.

Boonreung, who was notified of the aggravated assault charge on Tuesday, would also be held accountable for an alleged violation of the Protection of Victims of Domestic Violence Act, Kritsana said. 

Earlier yesterday, Boonreung told The Nation that he assaulted his wife Thanyanant Pakhawatkhunasin, 51, on July 27 due to stress and anger after she threatened to take their child away if he failed to pay her Bt10,000 a month from his salary. 

He said he was worried that if the child was taken again, the child could be dismissed from school or have to repeat the same grade. He said his wife had previously taken the child away, causing him to miss classes for weeks and the school placed him on probation. 

He said he felt pressured because he was shouldering home expenses alone while his salary had been reduced. He denied a rumour that he was drunk when he attacked his wife and said he was angry over the threat regarding his child. 

He added that he knew that what he did was violent and he tried to show remorse by visiting his wife, offering to pay her medical bills and praying for her condition to improve.

He said that although he was ready to answer for the incident and let justice run its course, he urged people not to humiliate him because he was not a criminal whose actions affected the public’s interest. 

The case came to light after Thanyanant’s mother, Oud Chansut, 78, sought help from the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women on behalf of her daughter who remains in the intensive care unit at Samut Sakhon Hospital. 

Muang Samut Sakhon superintendent Colonel Surapan Natworathat confirmed that police will proceed with disciplinary and criminal action against Boonreung if the allegations are proven. 

Police are also guarding the hospital where Thanyanant is being treated and have contacted the Social Development and Human Security Ministry and relatives to take care of the child, Surapan said.