Crime Drunken Man Accidentally Shoots Wife in the Hip After Motorbike Hits Pothole

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

A 39-year-old woman is recovering in hospital after being accidentally shot in the hip by her husband, who was carrying a homemade gun while riding pillion on a motorbike. The firearm discharged when the vehicle hit a pothole, police said.

 

The incident occurred at around 02:30 on 18 July in Nong Na Kham subdistrict, Udon Thani. Local police were alerted by Udon Thani Hospital’s emergency team after the woman was rushed in with a gunshot wound.

 

The victim, Ms. Janejira, was found to have a large wound on her right hip, with X-rays revealing ten shotgun pellets embedded in the flesh. Residue around the wound suggested a close-range discharge. Her husband, Mr. Chainarong, 30, remained at her side at the emergency unit, claiming the shooting was unintentional.

 

Chainarong, who was visibly intoxicated at the time, told police that he and his wife had attended a small drinking gathering with friends at a nearby dormitory. When it was time to return home, he was too drunk to drive, so his wife took the wheel of their motorbike, with him riding pillion.

 

While riding through a shortcut in Soi Nong Sai 1, the motorcycle reportedly hit a pothole. Chainarong said the shotgun pistol, he was carrying in his trouser pocket discharged accidentally, striking his wife. After she told him she had been shot, he took control of the bike and drove back to the dormitory to seek help from friends, who contacted emergency services.

 

Police from Muang Udon Thani Police Station, however, were not fully convinced by his initial account and took Chainarong into custody for questioning after he had sobered up. CCTV footage confirmed that the couple had left the dormitory around 01:20 with Chainarong returning alone at 01:28 seeking help.

 

Later in the morning, police searched the couple’s friends residence, where they discovered a homemade shotgun pistol  and a used 12-gauge cartridge hidden inside the home. Chainarong admitted to owning the weapon, stating he had purchased it in Bangkok for 2,500 baht due to safety concerns while working in Udon Thani, where he claimed there were many local youths.

 

“I always carry it for protection. Last night, I took it with me while drinking with friends and kept it in my trouser pocket,” he said. “On the way back, when the bike hit a pothole, the gun went off. I didn’t mean to shoot her. I feel terrible about what happened.”

 

Chainarong added that he had hidden the weapon in a friend’s room before taking his wife to hospital. He denied any argument had taken place and insisted the incident was an accident.

 

Police have charged him with illegal possession of a firearm and causing injury through negligence. He remains in custody pending further investigation and legal proceedings.

 

Fortunately, Ms. Janejira’s condition is now stable, although she remains in pain due to the embedded pellets. Chainarong said he had been allowed to visit her in hospital and apologised, expressing relief that she had survived.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-07-19