Picture courtesy of Khomchadluek.

 

A retired police officer shot and killed a motorcycle taxi leader in a shocking act of violence in front of a passenger during the morning of 10 April. The incident occurred at the entrance to a community in Soi Phetkasem 91, Moo 13, in the Om Noi subdistrict of Krathum Baen, Samut Sakhon province.

 

Authorities from Krathum Baen Police Station responded promptly to the scene, where they found the victim, identified as 57-year-old Sommai, a motorcycle taxi driver and head of the “Phuyai Prasert” motorcycle service. He had been shot twice, once in the left side of his chest and once in the right, causing fatal injuries. Sommai’s body was discovered next to his Yamaha motorbike.

 

 

An eyewitness, 48-year-old Nuanjan, told investigators that she had called Sommai’s motorcycle taxi to take her to work. As she was about to sit on the back of the bike, another motorcycle taxi rider, whose name is unknown, cut in front of them and warned her not to get on the bike. The man then pulled out a handgun and shot Sommai twice before fleeing the scene on his own motorcycle. Nuanjan fell from the bike in the ensuing chaos, suffering a minor injury to her thumb before calling the police.

 

 

Initial investigations revealed that the assailant was 63-year-old Prajua, a retired police officer who had taken up a second job as a motorcycle taxi driver after his retirement. According to police, Prajua and Sommai had been involved in a long-running dispute over passenger transport in the area, which had escalated over the past month. Despite mediation attempts by third parties, the conflict reached a tragic conclusion today.

 

After the shooting, police visited Prajua’s residence, but only his wife and children were present. Authorities have launched an urgent manhunt to apprehend the suspect, and further legal proceedings are underway.

 

-- 2025-04-11

 

Another retired police nutter

UPDATE
Retired Police Officer Commits Suicide at Temple After Fatal Shooting of Motorcycle Taxi Leader

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 63-year-old retired police officer took his own life beneath a Bodhi tree at a temple in Saraburi province, just days after fatally shooting the head of a motorcycle taxi rank in a broad daylight attack.

 

Police were alerted to the incident by local residents. Investigators, including forensic officers and rescue personnel, arrived at the scene at a temple in Khok Yae Subdistrict, Nong Khae District, where they discovered the body of Pol. Lt. Col. Prachuap Maso, a former officer of the Metropolitan Police Bureau. He was found lying on his back, with a Sig Sauer P365 9mm , handgun by his side, along with a brown-and-black shoulder bag. A single spent bullet casing was recovered at the scene.

 

Initial forensic examination indicated that Prachuap died from a gunshot wound to the head, with the bullet entering through his right temple and exiting the left. His body was sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Ongkharak, Nakhon Nayok for a full post-mortem examination.

 

According to witnesses, Prachuap had contacted family members shortly before the shooting. His wife had alerted his elder sister after receiving a phone call in which he said he had finalised all legal and personal affairs and intended to take his life. Despite rushing to the scene, his sister was unable to stop him. Another relative, Ms. Niam, reported that when she arrived, Prachuap asked why she had come, and before she could intervene, he pulled a handgun from his bag and shot himself in front of her.

 

Family members revealed that Prachuap had recently been involved in a shooting incident, which occurred two to three days earlier. On the morning of 10 April, at approximately 08:30, he used a 9mm handgun to shoot Mr. Sommai Ruengsamut, 57, the head of a motorcycle taxi rank, twice at close range. The attack happened while Sommai was with a passenger in Soi Phetkasem 91, in Om Noi, Krathum Baen District, Samut Sakhon province. Sommai died at the scene, and Prachuap fled.

 

Following the fatal shooting, Prachuap contacted relatives and arrangements were being made for him to surrender to the authorities. However, before this could happen, he took his own life at Wat Rat Samakkhi temple at around 11:00 on 12 April.

 

Police have recorded the incident and are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding both the homicide and the suicide. Family members have stated that they do not suspect foul play in Prachuap’s death. His final police rank before retirement was Lieutenant Colonel, serving as Deputy Inspector at Bang Khun Thian Police Station. After retirement, he had been working as a motorcycle taxi driver at the Pruksa 67 taxi stand.

 

 

-- 2025-04-13

 

 

 

So was it all worth it??? Lives destroyed, families shattered ...for what?

It amazes me people never think about the consequences of their actions ...

Looks like the mediation was a success' as it's all gone quiet on the taxi front now🤔

A retired Pol Lt Col needs to moonlight as motorcycle taxi rider? They should be pretty well off 

Perhaps he was an honest cop ?

On 5/27/2025 at 2:10 AM, Jim Blue said:

Perhaps he was an honest cop ?

But a murdering one.