Pictures courtesy of NBT

 

A Thai man has died after shooting himself at a firing range in Phuket, with the incident witnessed by a firearms instructor during a training session. The victim was critically injured at the scene on the evening of 23 December 2025 and later pronounced dead in hospital despite emergency treatment.

 

Police from Sakoo Police Station were alerted at 18.05 on 23 December 2025 to reports of a person using a firearm to shoot himself at a well-known shooting range in Sakoo subdistrict, Thalang district, Phuket. Investigators found a large amount of blood on the floor between firing lanes 13 and 14, while rescue workers from the Sakoo Subdistrict Administrative Organisation had already transported the injured man to Thalang Hospital.

 

Due to the severity of his head wound, the man was transferred from Thalang Hospital to Vachira Phuket Hospital for specialist treatment. Despite medical efforts, he later died from his injuries, police confirmed. According to staff at the shooting range, the man was identified as Mr Kittipong Chitkul, who arrived alone driving a van shortly before the incident. He contacted staff to rent a firearm, 10 rounds of ammunition and a target for a total cost of 650 baht in order to practise shooting.

 

A range officer was assigned to supervise the session and Mr Kittipong entered firing lane 13 to begin shooting. After firing nine rounds, he asked the supervising officer how many bullets remained and was told there was one round left. Police said that immediately after receiving this answer, Mr Kittipong turned the gun towards his head and fired a single shot. He collapsed to the floor with a severe head injury as range staff urgently called for emergency medical assistance.

 

CCTV footage from the shooting range clearly recorded the incident, according to investigators. Forensic officers have examined the scene, while police are in contact with the victim’s relatives as part of the formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. NBT reported that authorities have stated that the inquiry will focus on establishing the motive behind the act and reviewing all evidence, including witness statements and video recordings.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A man identified as Mr Kittipong Chitkul shot himself at a Phuket firing range on 23 December 2025.

• He rented a gun with 10 rounds for 650 baht and fired the fatal shot after using nine rounds.

• Police are investigating the motive, with CCTV footage and witness accounts forming key evidence.

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from NBT 2025-12-25

 

On 12/24/2025 at 8:26 PM, Georgealbert said:

He contacted staff to rent a firearm, 10 rounds of ammunition and a target for a total cost of 650 baht in order to practise shooting.

 

sounds like a plannrd suicide...