Crime Teen Killed as Rival Gangs from Two Villages Clash with Guns & Explosives in Ayutthaya

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A violent clash between rival teenage gangs from two local communities erupted in the early hours of 5 July, at a busy intersection in Ayutthaya, leaving a 16-year-old boy dead after shots were fired and explosives were thrown. Police say the incident stemmed from social media taunts between the groups.

 

According to police reports, the deadly altercation involved around 20 youths from the Ban Chang and Wat Huai Chorakhe communities, with each side reportedly armed with firearms and improvised explosives. The brawl broke out at around 01:00 at the Ha Kwa intersection on Rojana Road in Lam Ta Sao subdistrict, Wang Noi district.

 

The victim, identified as 16-year-old Mr Thanakhun, from Uthai district in Ayutthaya, sustained a critical head injury and later died at Wang Noi Hospital.

 

Senior officers from Ayutthaya Provincial Police, including Pol. Col. Phumthat Khositwanichphong (Deputy Commander), Pol. Col. Somjet Maenbut (Chief of Wang Noi Police Station), and Pol. Col. Peeraphat Chuchuay (Chief of Investigation), convened at Wang Noi Police Station to coordinate the investigation.

 

Initial inquiries revealed that the gangs had challenged one another via social media. Groups of teenagers from different areas began gathering across Wang Noi and Uthai districts late at night. Although police were able to disperse some groups, a portion of the rival youths managed to meet at the intersection, where shouting quickly escalated into violence.

 

Witnesses, including local village head Mr Mongkol Wongwaree, 48, reported hearing loud explosions around 01:00 but were too afraid to intervene. He expressed concern about frequent gang-related disturbances in the area and called for more regular police patrols.

 

Investigators at the scene recovered evidence and continued to question teenagers believed to be involved. Forensic teams were deployed to examine the site in detail.

 

Despite initial assumptions that the victim had been shot, police later stated that no gunshot wounds were found. Instead, the head injury appeared consistent with shrapnel from a homemade explosive. The body has been sent for a full forensic examination at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Pathum Thani.

 

Police have begun questioning the teenagers from both communities and are working to identify the direct perpetrators and those who facilitated the violence. Authorities have warned that parents who fail to control or supervise their children could also face legal consequences under the Child Protection Act.

 

Pol. Col. Somjet Maenbut confirmed that the case is being treated with urgency. “We are under orders to bring the perpetrators to justice as swiftly as possible,” he said.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-07-06