Crime Fatal Gang Attack Erupts After Temple Fair in Phayao

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

 

A violent clash between youths from different districts ended in tragedy in the early hours of 11 June, when a 20-year-old man was brutally attacked and later died from his injuries on a roadside in Mae Chai district, Phayao province.

 

The incident occurred at approximately 02:05 near a grocery shop on the Nakhon Sawan–Chiang Rai road, 200 metres past the Sri Boonruang traffic lights in Moo 7, Sri Toi subdistrict. Pol. Lt. Thongchai Suwanmanee, an investigator from Mae Chai Police Station, responded to the report along with Deputy Superintendent Pol. Lt. Col. Weera Mangmoon, patrol officers, detectives, and emergency responders from the Sri Toi Municipal Rescue Team.

 

At the scene, officers found Mr. Sarawut Chueamuangphan 20, of Mae Yen subdistrict in Phan district, Chiang Rai province, lying next to a yellow Honda motorcycle with no licence plate. He had sustained deep wounds to the head, right arm and torso. Despite emergency first aid and rapid transfer to Mae Chai Hospital, Mr. Sarawut was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

 

Initial investigations revealed that tensions began earlier that evening at a local temple fair in Sri Toi. Witnesses said the victim had been flirting with a girl during a traditional “Ramwong” dance, which reportedly provoked resentment from a group of local youths. After the fair ended, Mr. Sarawut left on his motorbike, intending to meet the girl again and stopped outside the shop where the attack later occurred.

 

As he waited, a group of local teenagers from Sri Toi approached on motorcycles. Armed with wooden sticks and a metre-long sharpened rod, they ambushed Mr. Sarawut, beating and hacking him before fleeing the scene. Locals who heard the commotion rushed to help and called for emergency services.

 

Police investigators later detained six suspects, all under the age of 18, believed to be involved in the attack. During questioning, they admitted to harbouring resentment towards Mr. Sarawut following the interaction with the girl at the fair. Surveillance footage and witness testimony supported the account that the assault was premeditated and targeted.

 

According to Mr. “Uncle Dam”, a local shop owner near the scene, “I heard shouting and ran out to see what was happening. It was chaos. The boy was lying there, not moving. It was shocking to see something like this happen just after a joyful temple event.”

 

Authorities are continuing to investigate and have confirmed that the suspects will face serious charges despite being juveniles. The case has sparked renewed concern over inter-district youth violence in northern provinces, where rivalry between young people from neighbouring towns has occasionally flared into deadly confrontations.

 

Police have urged parents, communities and local leaders to work together to prevent further escalation and to ensure public safety at festivals and public gatherings.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-06-13