In an incident driven by a bitter debt dispute, a 60-year-old woman shot and killed a well-known local radio DJ in Chana, Songkhla Province. The victim, 40-year-old DJ Wanida Thongyod, was a popular host on a community radio station and a TikTok personality with a large following in the area.

 

The incident occurred on October 3 at a laundromat in Saphan Mai Kaen, where the suspect, identified as Ms. Pornpimon “Nee” Sawatroj, confronted the DJ over a longstanding debt issue. Armed with a .38 revolver, Ms. Pornpimon fired multiple shots at the victim, striking her in the back of the head. After the shooting, the suspect took the wounded DJ to the hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.

 

 

According to police reports, the dispute revolved around a 200,000-baht loan, which Ms. Pornpimon claimed had gone unpaid. DJ Wanida had guaranteed the loan for a friend, a local teacher, but despite numerous attempts to settle the debt, the matter remained unresolved. On the day of the shooting, tensions escalated, leading to the fatal altercation.

 

Eyewitnesses described hearing three gunshots followed by screams. Ms. Pornpimon was seen conversing with her daughter outside the laundromat before her son-in-law, a police officer, arrived to assist her. Upon realising the gravity of the situation, the officer helped transport the wounded DJ to the hospital. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras captured the incident.

 

DJ Wanida’s sister, Ms. Khwanrudee Thongyod, expressed shock and sadness, stating that her sister had always treated Ms. Pornpimon as a maternal figure. The two women had been close, and Ms. Pornpimon had been a strong supporter of Wanida’s online presence, often referred to as a “fan mother” for her role in encouraging the DJ’s success on TikTok.

 

Despite their previous close relationship, the debt dispute proved too much, ultimately leading to the tragic shooting. Ms. Pornpimon later surrendered herself to local authorities, admitting to the crime and claiming she acted out of anger over the unpaid loan. She now faces charges of premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

 

Police have denied bail for Ms. Pornpimon, fearing further unrest as family and friends of the victim express outrage over the senseless killing.

 

Picture captured from CCTV.

 

-- 2024-10-06

 

 

... are there any thai people without debts? 

 

the first thing thai's like to talk about is food, followed immediately by debt and money ... will that ever change? I don't think so ... 

58 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

... are there any thai people without debts? 

 

the first thing thai's like to talk about is food, followed immediately by debt and money ... will that ever change? I don't think so ... 

yes, do not assume every Thai person is in debt, poor or financially uneducated.

57 minutes ago, stupidfarang said:

yes, do not assume every Thai person is in debt, poor or financially uneducated.

 

Actually assume just that

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

DJ Wanida’s sister, Ms. Khwanrudee Thongyod, expressed shock and sadness, stating that her sister had always treated Ms. Pornpimon as a maternal figure. The two women had been close, and Ms. Pornpimon had been a strong supporter of Wanida’s online presence,

Nothing worse than helping someone when in need with a loan and then they don’t pay it back.

worse than getting robbed by a stranger.

 

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

DJ Wanida had guaranteed the loan for a friend, a local teacher

Lender now in jail, guarentoror now dead.

Looks like the teacher has scored 200,000

2 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

yes, do not assume every Thai person is in debt, poor or financially uneducated.

 

you're right, not every thai is in debt or financially uneducated... but not many aren't.

speaking of education, how many teachers are in debt and unable to pay it off in their lifetime? 

THB200,000 is a lot of money. But to take someone's life and ruin your own?

 

9 minutes ago, phetphet said:

THB200,000 is a lot of money. But to take someone's life and ruin your own?

 

Thai rage doesn't follow any kind of logic.  Family, life-long friend, trusted business partner, say the wrong thing and it's over for you.

1 hour ago, Celsius said:

 

Actually assume just that

Some call it in other names - mortgage?

23 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

yes, do not assume every Thai person is in debt, poor or financially uneducated.

Seems to be the case with many expats why not Thais as well?

On 10/6/2024 at 4:30 AM, Georgealbert said:

Despite their previous close relationship, the debt dispute proved too much, ultimately leading to the tragic shooting. Ms. Pornpimon later surrendered herself to local authorities, admitting to the crime and claiming she acted out of anger over the unpaid loan. She now faces charges of premeditated murder and illegal possession of a firearm.

So now she will never see the light of day again , and never get the money..?

Great plan ?

1 hour ago, Oliver Holzerfilled said:

Seems to be the case with many expats why not Thais as well?

As explained to me by a Thai lady .......

1. The police aren't very good, you'll probably get away with it.

2. For poor people Thai jail isn't much worse than Thai life.

 

Maybe the lack of an efficient and affordable small claims court where people can raise these issues and get some mediation leads them to take drastic measures?

 

I am also surprised that she did not involve her son in law earlier, before the shooting, to help resolve the issue.

Guaranteeing loans on behalf of most Thais, and lending directly to Thais, should be entirely avoided. 

You take a society that has pretty weak Math skills, pay them below living wage money, creates the need for a loan, they have Zero clue how much they spend a month so will fall into the endless debt cycle.

 

Sad, trying to teach the few children about budget, value of money but its replaced by a game seconds later.  We will need AI because most of these kids have limited skills.

I briefly was involved with a teacher and she told me she was 1.5 million in debt and said virtually all teachers in same position. 

Educated but zero financial sense exit left for me.

As mentioned before to stand guarantor for someone is madness