16 Apr 2018, Nottingham man Kevin Smitham arrested for murder.
Jealousy leads to fatal beat and kicking.
On Monday, a 51 year old man from Britain was taken into custody for allegedly fatally kicking his 29 year old Thai wife in a jealous rage at a residence in Det Udom district. When authorities arrived at the scene on Monday morning, they discovered the woman, identified as Kanda Smitham, lying lifeless in front of the single story house in tambon Non Somboon.
She had bruises on her face and body, was only wearing panties, and had been covered with a blanket. Thai media reported that she had been deceased for several hours.
The woman's spouse, Kevin Smitham, a British national, was found at the back of the house. He admitted to assaulting his wife by kicking her in the face due to jealousy but maintained that he had no intention of causing her death.
According to Mr. Smitham's statement to the police, he and his wife had consumed beer together on Sunday evening, and an argument broke out after he requested to have sexual intercourse with her, but she declined. He became furious, believing that she may be involved with another partner. In a jealous rage, he kicked her repeatedly in the face and body. Kanda attempted to flee but collapsed in front of the house. Mr. Smitham left her there and subsequently covered her body with a blanket before going to sleep. He insisted that he did not intend to cause her death.
Mrs. Smitham's aunt discovered her body concealed with a fabric on Monday morning and promptly alerted the authorities. Police Captain Watcharapol Pimwong has charged Mr. Smitham with "assault causing death or other" offense, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison under Thai law.
Mr. Smitham has been moved to Ubon Ratchathani's provincial prison and is awaiting trial. The couple, who have two young children, had been staying with Mrs. Smitham's parents in Ubon Ratchathani, located in the northeast of the country, to celebrate the Songkran New Year festival.
The couple previously resided together in the well known beach destination of Pattaya, located on the east coast, where Mrs. Smitham was a renowned fitness enthusiast and operated a Facebook page with more than 28,000 followers.
During the Songkran New Year holiday, Kevin Smitham, aged 51, was residing with his wife Kanda Smitham, aged 29, and their parents in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. However, he became intoxicated and grew increasingly jealous, accusing his wife of being unfaithful when she declined to have sexual intercourse with him on Sunday evening.
April 2019, Kevin Smitham accused of murdering wife found dead in Thai prison.
It has been revealed that the British man Kevin Smitham, accused of kicking his wife to death after she declined to engage in sexual activity with him, has died under unexplained circumstances in a Thai prison. The UK Foreign Office confirmed that Kevin Smitham, aged 51 from Nottingham, was discovered dead on the premises of Ubon Ratchathani Central Prison. He had been awaiting trial for the alleged murder of his wife, Kandra Smitham, who passed away 12 months earlier.
Mr. Smitham was taken into custody and charged with murder; however, he was found fatally injured at the base of an outbuilding on the prison's perimeter in August of last year. It is unknown how he sustained his injuries. The Foreign Office has confirmed his passing this week and stated that its staff is offering support and guidance to Mr. Smitham's family and staying in contact with local authorities.