TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A naturalized Taiwanese citizen originally from Thailand was sentenced to 14.5 years in prison on Thursday for murdering a Thai domestic worker.
According to the Keelung District Court, a 46-year-old woman surnamed Lin (林) posted a job advertisement in a Facebook group seeking a domestic helper, per CNA. A 31-year-old undocumented Thai woman, Suthida Sansang, responded and was hired.
On May 6, Sansang, accompanied by her boyfriend, arrived at Lin’s residence in Keelung’s Zhongzheng District, where she lived in an enclosed extension of the living room.
The court said that on the evening of May 10, Lin took Sansang on a scooter ride to Dawulun Fort on Dawulun Mountain, east of Lover’s Lake, intending to abandon her there. When Sansang refused, an argument broke out.
Lin then struck Sansang on the head with a helmet, causing blunt force trauma and cerebellar contusion. She then stabbed Sansang multiple times with a knife.
As Sansang attempted to escape by hiding in the bushes, Lin discarded the murder weapon and Sansang’s phone before returning home on her scooter. Sansang later died from massive blood loss due to a severed artery.
Judges noted that Lin admitted to illegally hiring Sansang and attempting to leave her in the mountains. She also acknowledged assaulting her but denied having any intent to kill.
Despite expressing regret, Lin repeatedly blamed Sansang for refusing to stay behind and claimed that her insistence on following led to the attack. The court found Lin’s remorse insincere, especially since she had not compensated Sansang’s family.
Judges emphasized that Lin’s use of a helmet and knife, as well as the severity and number of blows, were excessive. Furthermore, she left Sansang to die in the mountains.
The court also considered Lin’s prior employment law violations and multiple theft convictions, deeming her actions as demonstrating a disregard for the law.
However, mitigating factors were taken into account, including Lin’s background as a former migrant worker from Thailand, her troubled marriage, history of drug addiction, cognitive impairments, and her responsibility for supporting children.
After reviewing these factors, the court sentenced Lin to 14 years and six months in prison for murder. The case is subject to appeal.
