In Separate Attacks, One Woman Dead, One Injured

While police continued to search for a man suspected of murdering his wife with an ax after a drunken argument in Kompong Cham province on Monday, officers in neighboring Tbong Khmum province arrested another man who allegedly hacked his wife under similar circumstances on Wednesday.

Police in Tbong Khmum district’s Anh-Choeum commune Thursday arrested a still-intoxicated Thy Den, 32, on suspicion of attacking his wife, Hai Than, 33, with a cleaver following a quarrel about their pork business on Wednesday afternoon, according to deputy district police chief Long Sarin.

Mr. Sarin said the attack occurred at the couple’s home after Ms. Than returned from collecting money from customers who had purchased pork from them at a local market.

“The wife saw that her husband was drunk and she accused him of never helping her with the upkeep of the business,” he said.

Under questioning yesterday, he added, Mr. Den said he attacked his wife because he had been drinking heavily and lost control of his emotions.

Mr. Sarin said Mr. Den struck his wife once on the head and once on the hand, but that her injuries were “not very serious.” She is still receiving treatment for her injuries, he said.

Mr. Den will be transferred to the provincial police headquarters today, he added.

The incident follows the ax murder of a woman in Kompong Cham’s Batheay district on Monday night, allegedly at the hands of her drunk husband, according to deputy district police chief Sam Nal.

Mr. Nal said Thursday that Kaok Doeun, 37, attacked his wife, Nhem Saron, 42, at their home in Tomnup commune when she turned her back on him after an argument.

“He had been drinking with his friends, and when he arrived home, he was drunk. He started to argue with his wife and took his ax and struck the back of her head, killing her instantly,” he said. Police are still searching for the suspect.

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