Thai National Arrested for Stabbing Japanese Man Multiple Times in Yokohama’s Entertainment District

“There are no (differences).”

When asked by the judge if there were any discrepancies in the charges, the man responded clearly.

On September 9th, at Yokohama District Court, a lay judge trial was held. Defendant Kwankisaroth Rungroe (54), a former restaurant worker and Thai national, who is accused of murder, admitted to the charges. It is alleged that in November of last year, he repeatedly stabbed and killed a Japanese man on a street in Yokohama.

“In court, the defense claimed that ‘it was to protect himself and those around him,’ arguing that excessive self-defense should be recognized for defendant Rungroe. On the other hand, the prosecution also acknowledged the excessive self-defense but insisted that there must have been other options,” said a reporter from a national newspaper covering the judicial process.

‘FRIDAY Digital’ reported extensively on the stabbing incident committed by defendant Rungroe in an article published on November 6th of last year. We would like to reprint it here, revisiting the vivid scene of the crime and the chilling mugshot of defendant Rungroe (some content has been edited).

 

Blood flowed from the man’s chest, bright red.

“Cut it out!”

“Got it, you bastard!”

“Stop! Stop!”

Multiple shouts echoed through the bustling entertainment district at night. When the man pulled out a blade resembling a knife, the man he had been beating suddenly collapsed. Blood poured from the man’s abdomen and chest…

This horrific incident occurred on the night of November 2nd last year, shortly after 7:30 PM. The location was the busy entertainment district of Naka Ward, Yokohama, about a 10-minute walk from JR Kannai Station. The suspect arrested on murder charges by the Kanagawa Prefectural Police’s Isezaki Station was defendant Rungroe, a Thai national.

“In front of the Thai restaurant where Rungroe worked, a dispute broke out between several Japanese and Thai individuals. The scene became chaotic with men shouting insults and threats. Rungroe, who had his hair grabbed and was being beaten, likely felt his life was in danger and lost control of his actions. He repeatedly stabbed the Japanese man in the chest and back with a knife he had on him. The man was rushed to the hospital by emergency responders, but his death was confirmed shortly afterward.

Two other men were also stabbed, one seriously injured, but their lives were not in danger. There were vivid bloodstains at the scene. When questioned by the police, Rungroe denied the crime, saying, ‘At the time of the incident, I was in the restaurant kitchen, so I don’t know anything,’” said a reporter from a national newspaper’s social affairs section.

The scene was an area lined with Asian restaurants, locally known as ‘Thai Town.’ What could have caused the altercation between the Japanese and Thai groups?

“The incident reportedly started when a drunken group of Japanese individuals kicked bicycles that were placed in front of the restaurant. Rungroe and other Thai staff members confronted them, leading to a verbal altercation. The scuffle gradually escalated, involving about seven to eight people.

Initially, the Thai group was on the receiving end of punches and kicks, but Rungroe fought back using a knife from the restaurant, turning the situation into a murder case. While Rungroe might have seen it as an act of ‘self-defense,’ it doesn’t excuse the fact that a life was lost. He was usually a calm and well-regarded employee, but the two sides had no prior acquaintance,” added the same reporter.

The verdict is expected to be delivered on September 17.