Woman Shot Dead in Lampang Rice Field

A 37-year-old woman was found shot dead inside a field shelter in Hang Chat district, Lampang province, on 22 May 2026, as police launched a manhunt for people believed to have been drinking with her before the killing. Officers are focusing on possible links to alcohol-fuelled violence and illegal drugs after discovering liquor bottles, beer and cooking equipment at the scene.

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Police from Hang Chat Police Station arrived at the shelter near a village fish pond in Ban Pong Tai, Pong Yang Khok subdistrict, at about 9.45am. The area is known locally as a gathering point where residents often fish and drink together.

The victim, identified as 37-year-old Sukanya from Ko Kha district in Lampang, had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators believe she had been dead for at least six hours before her body was discovered.

Officers led by Pol Col Praphat Ubolsri, chief of Hang Chat Police Station, inspected the scene alongside forensic teams. Evidence collected from inside the shelter included several alcohol containers and food preparation items, leading investigators to believe a group gathering had taken place shortly before the shooting.

Police said they are not ruling out narcotics as a possible factor in the case. Investigators are attempting to identify and question everyone believed to have attended the gathering on the night of the killing.

Particular attention is being directed towards a male suspect known by the nickname “Yim”, whom officers are seeking for questioning. Authorities have not confirmed whether he is considered a suspect in the shooting itself.

Forensic officers continued examining the shelter and surrounding rice fields throughout the day as detectives worked to reconstruct the victim’s final hours. Police have not yet disclosed whether the murder weapon has been recovered.

The killing has shocked residents in the rural community, where the shelter was reportedly a regular meeting point for informal drinking sessions. Investigators are now expanding their inquiry to determine who was present during the gathering and whether any disputes took place before the shooting.

SiamRath reported that police said further questioning and forensic analysis would be crucial in identifying the gunman and establishing a motive. The investigation remains ongoing.

Pictures courtesy of SiamRath

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Adapted by ASEAN Now SiamRath 23 May 2026