Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

An incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning of 24 April, in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat, when a recently defrocked monk shot a woman, his former fellow temple resident and then turned the gun on himself after she spurned his advances.

 

Police Colonel Thawatchai Sangkhomittakul, head of Tha Sala Police Station, led a team of investigators, forensic officers, and rescue personnel to the scene at a residence in Moo 12, Klai Subdistrict. Upon arrival, they discovered the body of 46-year-old Mr. Anon Sangthong in a second-floor bedroom. He was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head, with a .357 calibre revolver beside him. Two rounds had been fired; four more remained in the weapon.

 

 

The victim of the shooting, 39-year-old Ms. Jiranan, was found critically injured with a gunshot wound to the left side of her chest and severe head trauma from being struck. She was initially rushed to Tha Sala Hospital before being transferred to Maharaj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital for urgent treatment.

 

Initial investigations revealed that both individuals had recently left monastic life, Mr. Anon having been a monk and Ms. Jiranan a nun at the same temple in Sichon District. Sources say that Mr. Anon had developed romantic feelings for Ms. Jiranan during their time at the temple. After both had disrobed, Mr. Anon reportedly pursued her persistently, though she refused to engage with him.

 

At approximately 01:00, Mr. Anon contacted Ms. Jiranan’s younger sibling to ask about her whereabouts. Despite being told she was not at home, he allegedly became agitated and angry when his calls went unanswered.

 

At 03:00, Mr. Anon arrived at Ms. Jiranan’s house on a motorcycle, climbed over the fence, and broke into the home by smashing a window. He then entered her bedroom, struck her on the head, and shot her in the chest. Believing she was dead, he turned the gun on himself and died instantly.

 

Ms. Jiranan, however, survived and managed to seek help. Her current condition is said to be critical.

 

It has also emerged that Ms. Jiranan is married to a foreign national, who is currently overseas. Her return to lay life followed a period of ordination as a nun, during which Mr. Anon had also been a monk at the same temple.

 

Police are continuing their investigation into the events leading up to the attack, as more details emerge about the breakdown of a relationship rooted in shared religious life.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-04-25.

 

 

 

 

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