Mentally Ill Man Shot Dead After Entering Khon Kaen Home

Picture courtesy of Matichon 

A 33-year-old man with a history of psychiatric illness was shot dead at a home in Ban Nong Khoi, Mueang district, Khon Kaen, on 17 November 2025, after allegedly entering the property and shouting abuse at the homeowner, a local politician. Police from Tha Phra station, led by Pol Col Prateep Panyowat, arrived to find the man, identified as Panya from Nong Pho, Kranuan district, lying dead at the front fence with three gunshot wounds. The shooter, 63-year-old Thanadol, remained at the scene and immediately identified himself to officers.

According to the investigation, Pol Lt Col Chukiat Chaiyawiset said Thanadol reported that the incident occurred at around 11.40 while he was in his garden home attempting to chase away monitor lizards that frequently tried to prey on his dogs. He stated that Panya, whom he had never met, had been sitting near a bamboo clump opposite the property before approaching the closed gate and shouting insults. Thanadol said Panya then jumped over the fence, moved to within two metres of him and continued using abusive language, prompting him to fire three shots from a .38 revolver he had been carrying to scare off the reptiles.

Police confirmed that Panya was hit once in the left shoulder, once in the left waist and once in the abdomen near the navel, dying at the scene. Further checks established that he had a documented history of psychiatric illness and drug use and had been off medication for around seven months. Relatives told officers he had recently been ordained at his grandfather’s funeral on 12 November 2025 and disrobed the following day.

Family members also reported that on 14 November at around 18:00, Panya had escaped from a relative’s vehicle at a petrol station in Ban Non Tun, Muang Kao subdistrict, while being taken to work in Saraburi, and had not been seen since. Police believe he wandered to the area of the shooting in the days that followed. Officers seized the revolver used, which was registered under Thanadol’s name.

Matichon reported that investigators have charged Thanadol with murder. However, he was granted bail using his position as a local politician, after officers considered the possibility that the shooting stemmed from self-defence. Police will now interview the victim’s relatives and other relevant witnesses before compiling the case file for submission to prosecutors.

Key Takeaways

• A 33-year-old man with psychiatric illness was shot dead after entering a Khon Kaen home and allegedly hurling abuse.

• The homeowner, a 63-year-old local politician, admitted firing three shots and was granted bail pending further investigation.

• Police are gathering additional witness testimony before forwarding the case to prosecutors.

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  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Matichon 2025-11-18