Rubber Plantation Worker Surrenders After Shooting Employer Over Wage Dispute

Picture of arrest.

A rubber plantation worker in Chiang Rai has surrendered to police after shooting his employer, citing unfair wages as the motive.

The suspect, identified as 45-year-old Mr Chatchawan turned himself in through a local leader after pressure from police. The incident occurred at around 20:00 on 20 March at a house in Pong subdistrict, Thoeng district, Chiang Rai.

Authorities, led by Police Colonel Jetsada Juthopama of Thoeng Police Station, took the suspect into custody and conducted a crime scene investigation. Bullet fragments were found near the entrance, with three bullet holes visible on the wall close to the doorframe. Bloodstains were also discovered on the floor near a wardrobe inside the house.

Mr Chatchawan stated that he had been working as a rubber tapper, earning 300 baht per day, which included tasks such as acid application and rubber collection. He claimed this wage was unfair and that his employer owed him 1,500 baht. His proposal to sell the rubber and split the earnings was rejected. Additionally, he alleged that his employer had previously threatened him with a firearm.

On the night of the incident, he confronted his employer, asking, “Why are you taking advantage of me?” He then fired a homemade sawn-off shotgun once, unsure of where the shot landed. He argued that if he had not fired first, his employer, who allegedly owned several firearms, would have shot him instead.

After the shooting, Mr Chatchawan fled, abandoned his motorbike at a relative’s house, and hid near Jam Tong Reservoir. However, with mounting police presence and search, he decided to surrender.

“I did not intend to kill him. If I had, he wouldn’t be alive. I regret my actions and want to apologise,” he said.

Following his confession, police took the suspect to retrieve his abandoned motorcycle and the firearm, which had been thrown into the reservoir.

The victim was taken to Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition.

-- 2025-03-22