Gunmen Flee After Killing Ex-Dealer in Nakhon Si Thammarat

Photo via Facebook/ ไพฑูรย์ อินทศิลา

In a chilling daylight attack, two gunmen shot and killed a former drug dealer in Nakhon Si Thammarat, escaping without a trace. The victim, Ittiphat, known locally as Pond Mokhalan, was found outside his home with a torn gold necklace in his hand. This detail, police suggest, could be a ploy to mislead them about the crime’s motive.

The incident took place yesterday afternoon in Mokhalan, Tha Sala district. Officers from Tha Sala Police Station arrived to discover the 29-year-old wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, with three gunshot wounds to his head and body. The necklace, valued at approximately 50,000 baht (about £1,160), was seemingly staged to suggest robbery.

Once a prominent drug dealer in the region, Ittiphat had recently claimed to have turned his life around. Following his release from prison four to five months ago, he set up shop as a fruit vendor, purchasing produce from local farmers and selling it from a stall outside his property. Despite this apparent transformation, authorities suspect he might have continued illicit activities under the guise of his new business.

Investigators consider the possibility that his murder was linked to unresolved issues within the local drug network. The necklace in Ittiphat’s hand is thought to have been placed there to divert attention from these motives.

According to reports, Ittiphat’s father was present during the attack. He described how the two assailants arrived on a motorcycle, ordered bananas, and shot Ittiphat multiple times as he reached for a bag. CCTV later captured the suspects heading towards Tha Sala town centre, with one removing a black hoodie in an apparent disguise attempt.

Despite thorough searches, the suspects remain at large. The brazen nature of the crime and the hints of underworld connections have shocked the community, sparking discussions on safety and the ongoing battle against the drug trade in the region.

As police intensify their hunt, residents are urged to remain vigilant. Officials hope that any further clues might emerge to bring the perpetrators to justice, shedding light on a case that combines both tragedy and mystery.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-09