Former Local Council Member Shot Dead While Tapping Rubber Trees, Mistaken for Boar

A former member of the Sri Song Rak Subdistrict Municipal Council in Loei Province was tragically shot and killed while working in a rubber plantation, reportedly mistaken for a wild boar by a local hunter. The body of the victim, 64-year-old Mr. Somjit Sopradit, was discovered in the forest approximately 12 kilometres from the village of Nam Phu, in the Dan Sai District.

At around 13.00 on November 13, Pol. Lt. Chaiyut Kosajan, Deputy Inspector of the Dan Sai Police Station, was alerted to a death in a nearby forest area. Authorities, including forensic specialists, medical staff from Dan Sai Hospital, and rescue teams, immediately proceeded to the remote scene, reachable only by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Upon arrival, officials found Mr. Somjit’s body lying on his back. He was dressed in a white T-shirt with a military-style camouflage jacket and long black pants, without shoes. A single gunshot wound to the neck, suspected to be from a hunting rifle, was observed on the right side, exiting through the left side of his neck. There were no spent casings or signs of struggle near the scene,

According to his son, Mr. Apisit Sopradit, 25, his father regularly went to the plantation on his motorbike to tap rubber and usually returned home by 21.00. When he did not come home the previous night, family members went looking but could not locate him. Early the next morning, his son resumed the search and discovered his father’s lifeless body. Initially, they thought Mr. Somjit might have succumbed to illness, but closer inspection revealed a gunshot wound to the neck. Authorities were notified immediately.

Mr. Apisit noted that his father had no known disputes with anyone, leading the family to believe the incident was likely an accident. Given the presence of wild boar tracks in the area, it is suspected that a hunter mistook Mr. Somjit for an animal. Local residents frequently hunt in the surrounding forest, raising the possibility that the shooter may have been unaware of his presence.

Investigators from Dan Sai Police Station are continuing to collect evidence and pursue leads to apprehend the shooter. Mr. Somjit’s body will be sent to Loei Hospital tomorrow for an autopsy to confirm the exact cause of death as the investigation continues.

Picture from responders.

-- 2024-11-14