Pictures courtesy of Daily News

 

Police in southern Thailand are hunting suspects after a local election candidate was shot dead while driving, raising concerns over politically motivated violence. Mr Phayom Sangthong, 64, also known as Kamnan Yong, died after gunmen opened fire on his vehicle late on 19 December 2025. The killing has prompted an intensive investigation and heightened security concerns ahead of a local election.

 

The shooting occurred at about 8.30pm on a remote road in Pa Bon district, Phatthalung province, near a border area with Thung Nari subdistrict. Officers from Pa Bon police station responded to reports that an unknown number of assailants had fired on a Toyota Fortuner with Songkhla registration plates. Mr Phayom was found dead in the vehicle and two 12-gauge shotgun shells were recovered nearby as evidence.

 

Investigators said Mr Phayom had just dropped off villagers who were assisting with his election campaign around 500 metres from the attack site. His car was followed and then ambushed on a sparsely populated stretch of road, where the attackers pulled alongside and opened fire. Police later identified evidence suggesting the suspects used a pickup truck, with the shooter positioned in the rear, before fleeing the scene.

 

Mr Phayom was a former subdistrict headman of Tha Chamuang in Rattaphum district, Songkhla province. At the time of his death, he was contesting the post of chief executive of the Tha Chamuang Subdistrict Administrative Organisation as candidate number two, leading the Palang Mai Phatthana Tha Chamuang team. Police noted that he had recently been gaining stronger public support than rival teams.

 

Senior officers believe the killing is linked to local political conflict ahead of the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation election scheduled for 11 January. Pol Maj Gen Chaowalit Liangsupong, commander of Phatthalung provincial police, said investigators are focusing on political rivalry and have not ruled out the involvement of professional gunmen. He added that further evidence is required to identify those responsible.

 

According to local reports, Mr Phayom had been approached before the campaign by figures linked to grey-area business interests who allegedly urged him not to run. Despite this, he proceeded with his candidacy and continued to gain popularity. In the days before his death, he reportedly contacted a senior police officer in Region 9 to request protection, but no security detail had yet been deployed.

 

Daily News reported that police from Phatthalung, Songkhla and Region 9 are continuing to examine the crime, trace escape routes and review CCTV footage. Officers are also questioning witnesses and associates to establish possible links to prior threats. Authorities say arrests will follow once sufficient evidence is secured.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A local election candidate was shot dead in his car on the night of 19 December 2025 in Phatthalung province.

• Police believe the killing may be linked to local political conflict ahead of elections on 11 January.

• Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage and pursuing suspects believed to have fled in a pickup truck.

 

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Dailynews 2025-12-21

 

 

CCTV Provides New Leads in Phatthalung Shooting Case

 

Photo courtesy of The Thaiger

 

CCTV footage has brought new developments in the investigation of former village headman Phayom Sangthong's murder in Phatthalung province. Authorities suspect the attack involved a coordinated group of at least six to seven individuals, potentially linked to a local political dispute.

 

Phayom, 64, was shot while returning home in his vehicle on December 19 after dropping off campaign supporters. The incident occurred on a quiet road in the Thung Nari subdistrict of Pa Bon district. Assailants followed his car and attacked; Phayom died at the scene, and no arrests have been made yet.

 

Since December 22, investigators from Phatthalung, Songkhla, and the Crime Suppression Division have been working to piece together the events leading to the attack. They are examining CCTV footage to track the route of the suspects and have identified a black Toyota Vios sedan, likely used in the crime. The sedan, fitted with a fake license plate, was seen circling the Tha Prang intersection before following Phayom’s vehicle.

 

The sedan was traced through multiple routes, eventually vanishing in Songkhla province. Police suspect local political tensions could be the motive, though no suspects have been publicly named. The evidence indicates that the attack was organized, with roles divided among shooters, drivers, and lookouts.

 

Authorities are intensifying their efforts to secure more forensic evidence and review additional CCTV footage. They remain confident in identifying and prosecuting the suspects shortly, reported The Thaiger.

 

Key Takeaways

• The attack on Phayom Sangthong is believed to involve six to seven people.
• CCTV shows a black Toyota Vios with fake plates linked to the crime.
• The investigation focuses on resolving possible political motives.

 

Related Stories:

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-12-22

 

 

 

I can imagine the comprehensive interrogation and investigation his political rival will be getting.

 

Police:  Did you have anything to do with this?

 

Rival:  No.

 

Police:  Ok.  It must have been a random attack.  Good Luck in the election.