Pictures courtesy of Amarin

 

Police in Sai Yok district, Kanchanaburi province, have arrested a former abbot accused of opening fire at a family home, injuring three people and abducting a woman before fleeing. The incident occurred on 24 December 2025 in Wang Krachae subdistrict and caused panic among residents, with all injured victims requiring medical treatment.

 

The suspect, identified as Mr Narongdet Pin-kaew, also known as former monk Det, aged 53, had been the head of Pa Nawakan forest monastery in Kanchanaburi. Investigators said he formally disrobed on the evening of 23 December, ending his monkhood shortly before the shooting the following morning.

 

According to police, Mr Narongdet drove a pickup truck to the home of Ms Kanchana, aged 47, on the morning of 24 December. Witnesses said her mother, Mrs Chamnong, aged 66, confronted him and ordered him to leave the property.

 

Police said the suspect returned to his vehicle, retrieved a 9mm automatic handgun and fired six shots into the house area. The gunfire injured Ms Kanchana, Mrs Chamnong and a 13-year-old boy identified as Tawan, all of whom were relatives living in the same home.

 

After the shooting, Mr Narongdet allegedly dragged the wounded Ms Kanchana into his pickup truck and fled the scene. Officers later established that he took her to Ban Nong Pla health-promoting hospital, around six kilometres away, before driving off alone.

 

At 14.30 on 24 December, police from Sai Yok station arrested Mr Narongdet at a public service point in Wang Krachae subdistrict. Officers seized the pickup truck used in the incident and the 9mm firearm believed to have been used in the attack.

 

During questioning, the suspect confessed to carrying out the shooting, claiming he acted out of personal resentment. He told investigators he believed Ms Kanchana, whom he claimed to have had a relationship with, was distancing herself and might be involved with another man, prompting his actions after leaving the monkhood.

 

Ms Kanchana later denied any romantic relationship with the suspect, stating she had never been involved with him as claimed. She remains in hospital recovering from her injuries while police continue to gather statements from all victims.

 

Amarin reported that investigators said the suspect has been handed over to inquiry officers and will face charges in accordance with legal procedures. Police are continuing their investigation to establish a clear motive and sequence of events.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A former abbot was arrested on 24 December after allegedly shooting three people at a home in Sai Yok, Kanchanaburi.

• The suspect had disrobed from monkhood the previous evening and used a 9mm handgun to fire six shots.

• One injured woman was abducted and later dropped at a local health centre before the suspect fled.

 

Related stories

 

Abbot-two-monks-caught-drinking-at-Suphanburi-nightclub

Drunken-man-and-monk-brawl-at-Nonthaburi-market

 

 

 Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-12-25

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

former monk Det, aged 53, had been the head of Pa Nawakan forest monastery in Kanchanaburi.

Seems they use the same system for choosing Head Monks, as they do for cops, politician et all. 🙂