American Tourist Murdered in Bangkok Love Triangle Ambush
A 54-year-old American tourist has been brutally murdered in Bangkok after becoming embroiled in a violent love triangle with his much younger Thai ex-girlfriend. Stein Cole, originally from Corcoran, California, died from multiple stab wounds and severe blunt force trauma after being ambushed by four men outside a shop in the Bangmod district on Monday afternoon.
Fatal Confrontation Turns Deadly
According to police reports, Cole had been pleading with his 24-year-old ex-girlfriend, Nan Phawt Ar Cho, to reconcile their relationship when the situation escalated dramatically. Her current partner, 26-year-old Saw Nay Lin Oo, along with three other men including Cho's brother, allegedly attacked Cole with a three-foot metal pipe and a 10-inch kitchen knife.
Colonel Sonchat Poonphol, superintendent of the Bangmod Police district station, stated that Cole "could not accept" the breakup and had been following his ex-girlfriend continuously in the days leading up to the fatal incident. "On the day of the incident, he is said to have produced a knife, provoking the suspects to intervene and attack him," Poonphol explained.
Graphic Scene of Violence
When police arrived at the scene around 4:30 PM, they discovered Cole lying in a pool of blood in the middle of the road with five stab wounds and both legs broken from repeated blows with the metal pipe. Despite attempts by bystanders to resuscitate him, Cole was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police apprehended Saw Nay Lin Oo at the location and recovered both weapons used in the attack. One of the alleged attackers was also injured during the scuffle and required hospital treatment for stab wounds.
Background of Turbulent Relationship
Neighbors revealed that Cole had lived alone in an apartment across from the attack site for several months, while his ex-girlfriend had previously resided in the same building before moving out following their breakup. According to multiple accounts, the couple had engaged in frequent heated arguments, and Cole had allegedly been harassing Cho after their relationship ended.
"The suspects claimed that they had no intention to kill, but the situation became chaotic, and they lost control," Colonel Poonphol stated, adding that Cole was described by those who knew him as "aggressive, prone to outbursts, and a heavy drinker" who was unemployed at the time of his death.
Shop Owner's Failed Intervention
Phanuwat, the owner of the shop where the attack occurred, told investigators that he had attempted to prevent the violence from escalating. "Despite my warning, they lost their composure and acted impulsively, and they ended up killing someone," he stated. "If they had more composure, this wouldn't have happened."
Police also revealed that Cole had reportedly shown up drunk to the same area the night before the murder, threatening workers with a knife. Colonel Poonphol added that Cho's family "did not approve of her relationship with the American man and had been trying to separate them."
Legal Proceedings and Aftermath
The four suspects—Saw Nay Lin Oo, Saw Kyaw Win Tun, Saw Kyaw Htunt Paing, and Thein Oo (Cho's brother)—have been charged with jointly assaulting another person causing death. All are currently in police custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
It remains unclear when Cole moved to Thailand from California. Public records indicate he leaves behind two sons, three siblings, and his mother. The investigation continues as authorities piece together the complete sequence of events leading to this tragic outcome of a relationship turned deadly.
