Drunken Former Village Deputy Shoots Long-Time Friend Dead

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

In a shocking act of violence, a 55-year-old former village deputy in Trang province has turned himself in to police after fatally shooting his long-time friend in what appears to be a drunken misunderstanding involving his own teenage son.

The incident occurred on a road beside a local school in Na Khao Sia Subdistrict, Na Yong District. Police received reports of a shooting around 21:00 on the evening of 24 April. Officers from Na Yong Police Station, led by Pol Lt Col Sutprasert Ladkong and Pol Col Ekpong Thangchandaeng, arrived at the scene alongside rescue workers.

There, they discovered the body of Mr Somjai, aged 50, lying face-up in the middle of the road. He had sustained three gunshot wounds to the head and torso. His 15-year-old son and a nephew were seen sitting beside the body in shock and distress.

The alleged gunman, Mr Boonrat, a 55-year-old former assistant village headman and close friend of the victim, initially fled the scene on a motorbike but later surrendered to police. He brought with him the 9mm handgun used in the shooting and confessed to the crime during questioning.

According to reports, the fatal shooting followed a heated encounter between Mr Boonrat and the victim’s son. Witnesses say the former official, heavily intoxicated, began accusing the teenager of some unspecified wrongdoing. Mr Somjai, the boy’s father, stepped in to defend his son. The confrontation escalated quickly, culminating in Mr Boonrat drawing a firearm and shooting Mr Somjai three times at close range.

Police have charged Mr Boonrat with murder and unlawful possession and use of a firearm. He is being held in custody as the investigation continues.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-04-26.