Report Tragedy in Surin: Father Seeks Truth in Son’s Death

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Ratthapoom's father and younger sister | Photo via Facebook/ Aomwannee Aotngam

 

In a tragic incident that has shaken Surin province, the father of a young Thai soldier is calling for a deeper investigation after his son reportedly shot two civilians before taking his own life. The event, which unfolded in Kap Choeng district, casts a shadow over the official narrative being presented.

 

Private Ratthapoom Thepsiri, a soldier serving near the tense Thai-Cambodian border, was discovered dead in a forest on 15th August. Earlier that day, he had allegedly shot two men, Anuwat Singcha and Wutthana Naprakone, with an M16 rifle. Both civilians, aged 32 and 35 respectively, were hospitalised and are now in stable condition.

 

Initial reports suggested that Ratthapoom's actions stemmed from emotional distress linked to his service on the border. His family echoed this sentiment, emphasising that he had never shown violent tendencies before, but believed that the pressures of his assignment and homesickness might have overwhelmed him.

 

However, local accounts suggest an alternative motive. Some residents in the area described the victims as heavy drinkers known for blasting loud music late into the night, disturbing their neighbours. According to these accounts, Ratthapoom had approached the duo to ask them to lower the volume, as it was interfering with military operations monitoring the border. It is alleged that Anuwat and Wutthana ridiculed him, dismissing his authority and belittling the soldiers' efforts, which purportedly provoked his drastic reaction.

 

During Ratthapoom’s funeral on 18th August, his father, Prayoon Thepsiri, urged the Royal Thai Army to delve deeper into these claims. He appealed for an investigation into whether the soldier’s actions were provoked by insults, rather than attributing them solely to stress.

 

Prayoon addressed the media, pleading for a halt to descriptions of his son as mentally unstable. He believes the narrative circulating online — that Ratthapoom was driven by mockery — deserves serious attention. He demanded that the RTA reveal the truth behind this tragic event and take responsibility for the circumstances leading to his son's death.

 

As of now, the RTA has not officially responded to Prayoon’s request but has assured support for Ratthapoom’s family in gratitude for his service in the border conflict at Prasat Ta Kwai.

 

This incident raises complex questions about the factors contributing to violent outbursts among military personnel and highlights the need for rigorous scrutiny into the pressures faced by soldiers on the front lines. The community and the nation await a thorough investigation to uncover the true motivations behind this heartbreaking story.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-08-19