A 14-year-old boy has been found dead in the backyard of his grandfather’s house. He is believed to have committed suicide after attacking the old man with a knife, for refusing to give him money to buy cannabis.

The tragic incident took place in Kut Chik sub-district of Thailand’s north-eastern province of Nong Bua Lamphu yesterday (Sunday).

According to the accounts given by neighbours, the old man sought help from them late on Saturday night, claiming that he had been attacked by his grandson as he was asleep. Seriously injured, he was rushed to the nearest hospital with numerous knife wounds to his head and face.

Villagers claim that they saw the boy went into the backyard of the house, but did not see him again until yesterday morning, when police went to the house to investigate and found the boy dead.

The police searched the boy’s room and found equipment used to smoke cannabis. They suspect that the boy took his life for fear of being arrested after the assault of the old man. No wounds were evident on the boy’s body.