A Bitcoin investment loss led to tragedy in Thailand when a husband shot his wife and engaged police in a 6-hour standoff. The violent incident highlights the risks of cryptocurrency speculation.
The incident began when a 35-year old Kritsada confronted his 31-year old wife Pitsamai at her home in Ayutthaya province over a 700,000 baht ($19,500) Bitcoin investment loss. The argument escalated to the point where Pitsamai asked for a separation.
Seeking reconciliation, Kritsada later visited Pitsamai’s house but the meeting quickly turned violent. In a fit of rage over the lost money, he shot Pitsamai with a handgun before barricading himself inside the home.
Police from Uthai station surrounded the residence and began negotiations to end the standoff. For over 6 hours, officers carefully worked to calm Kritsada and convince him to surrender peacefully. The delicate talks ultimately proved successful and he gave himself up late that night.
During the standoff, a distressed Kritsada shot himself in the leg. He was immediately taken into custody and a .38 caliber gun confiscated.
Kritsada now faces charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. After receiving medical treatment, he was sent to a holding cell but remained in a state of high stress.
Meanwhile, Pitsamai survived the shooting and is recovering under doctor’s supervision.
The tragic incident reveals how heated investment disputes, especially involving highly volatile assets like cryptocurrency, can spiral out of control. As Bitcoin gains adoption worldwide, managing risk and curbing dangerous speculation will require education and regulation.
#Bitcoin #cryptocrime #domesticviolence #Thailand #investing
