Crime Man Shot Dead, Five-Year-Old Caught in Crossfire in Trang

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A long-standing dispute between neighbours turned deadly in Trang province on the afternoon of 3 July, when the owner of a small grocery shop shot and killed a local man who allegedly stormed into the store armed with a knife. A five-year-old boy riding past on a motorcycle with his mother was struck by a stray bullet and injured in the chaos.

 

The incident occurred around 15:30, at a grocery store on Warakiri Road, Moo 1, in Yan Ta Khao district. Pol. Lt. Suwit Suwanrat, deputy inspector at Yan Ta Khao Police Station, received reports of a shooting involving a seriously injured man and a young child who had been hit by gunfire. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, including officers from the Trang provincial forensics unit and rescue volunteers from Ruam Jai Foundation.

 

Police arrived to find Mr Phromphong, 35, collapsed in a side alley next to the shop. He had suffered three gunshot wounds, one to the centre of the chest, one near the right nipple and one to the right waist. Despite emergency treatment, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at Yan Ta Khao Hospital. Meanwhile, a five-year-old boy who was riding pillion on a motorbike with his mother past the shop was hit in the left calf by a stray bullet. He was transferred to Trang Provincial Hospital for treatment and remains under close medical supervision, though his condition is reported to be stable.

 

The suspected gunman, 36-year-old Mr Prachanat, owner of the grocery store, remained at the scene and surrendered to police with a 9mm handgun. He was taken into custody for questioning.

 

According to initial police findings, the shooting was the culmination of a personal feud between the two men. Mr Phromphong, who reportedly had a history of drug use and past criminal behaviour, had frequently harassed Mr Prachanat, including stealing goods and causing disturbances at the shop. Tensions had reportedly escalated in the days leading up to the shooting.

 

Moments before the fatal altercation, the victim’s father had visited the store in an attempt to resolve ongoing issues. Shortly afterward, Mr Phromphong arrived wielding a knife. Believing he was about to be attacked, Mr Prachanat retrieved a pistol from the drawer beneath his counter and fired three shots.

 

A friend of the suspect told police that Mr Prachanat was normally mild-mannered and had no history of violence. The friend claimed that Mr Phromphong had previously threatened to stab Mr Prachanat over a dispute regarding shared access to a back road.

 

Following the incident, Mr Prachanat did not attempt to flee and personally called the police to report what had happened.

 

Police have launched a full investigation into the shooting, including forensic examination of the scene and interviews with witnesses. Charges will follow pending the outcome of the inquiry.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khoasod 2025-07-05

 

 

 

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