Pictures courtesy of Matichon

A shooting by a teenage gunman at a busy market in Bang Saphan district left three people injured, including a three-month-old baby boy who is in a critical condition. The incident occurred at around 6.30pm on 1 January 2026 in the Bang Saphan market community on Thongkamnoet Road, Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Police confirmed that the attack caused panic among shoppers and residents in the area.

Investigators from Bang Saphan Police Station were alerted to reports of gunfire and multiple casualties. At the scene, officers found an overturned sidecar motorcycle without a licence plate, three spent bullet casings of unknown calibre and a trail of blood along the roadside. All three injured victims were rushed to nearby hospitals by members of the public before emergency services arrived.

According to initial police enquiries, the violence stemmed from an earlier altercation at a local flea market. An 18-year-old man, Thanaphon, was involved in a fistfight with another man identified as “Gard,” after which the two groups separated. Later, Gard reportedly called for help from a man known as “Hao,” who is alleged to be the teenage gunman.

Police said that Thanaphon was later starting to ride a sidecar motorcycle home with his three-month-old son, Thanaphon, and a 14-year-old boy. When they reached the area where the shooting occurred, Hao allegedly rode towards them on a pink-and-white motorcycle, got off and fired repeatedly at the sidecar motorcycle. The vehicle lost control and overturned as a result of the gunfire.

The 14-year-old boy was shot in the right leg, while the infant, who was being carried in a baby sling, was struck in the head and suffered life-threatening injuries. Gard, who was with the suspect, was also believed wounded by a stray bullet to his left leg. Police confirmed that the suspects fled the scene immediately after the shooting.

Officers said the incident highlights the dangers of firearms being used in public spaces, particularly crowded community areas. Police from Bang Saphan have coordinated with investigative teams to track down those responsible. Authorities have not released further details on the firearm used or any arrests at this stage.

Matichon reported that the police stated that efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the suspects for prosecution under the law. Further updates are expected once suspects are apprehended and formal charges are laid. The investigation remains active as officers gather additional evidence and witness statements.

Key Takeaways

• A teenage gunman opened fire at Bang Saphan market on 1 January 2026, injuring three people.

• A three-month-old baby boy was shot in the head and remains in critical condition.

• Police are actively pursuing suspects who fled the scene after the shooting.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-01-03

 

 

UPDATE

Three-Month-Old Baby Safe After Market Shooting, Suspect Held

Picture courtesy of Matichon

A three-month-old baby injured during a shooting at Bang Saphan market in Prachuap Khiri Khan province has been confirmed safe, while police have taken a 17-year-old suspect into custody. The incident, which occurred on the evening of 1 January 2026, left three people injured and caused panic among shoppers in a busy community area.

The shooting followed a confrontation between two groups of teenagers at a local market in Bang Saphan district. An argument escalated into violence, with a firearm being discharged three times, resulting in injuries to an adult male, a 14-year-old boy and the infant, who was initially believed to have been struck by a bullet.

On 2 January 2026, doctors at Bang Saphan Hospital reported that the baby boy’s head injury was not caused by a gunshot. Medical examinations found the injury resulted from a sidecar motorcycle overturning during the chaos of the shooting and the infant is now in a stable and safe condition under close medical supervision.

The sidecar motorcycle was carrying five people at the time, including a 24-year-old man, his 15-year-old wife who was carrying the baby in a front carrier, an 18-year-old neighbour and the neighbour’s 14-year-old younger brother. The crash occurred after gunfire caused the driver to lose control and overturn.

Police investigations revealed that the violence began when the 18-year-old became involved in a dispute with another teenager, identified as Gard, over eye contact at the market. After the pair separated, Gard allegedly contacted a friend, identified as Hao, to seek retaliation.

CCTV footage showed Hao arriving on a pink-and-white motorcycle with friends, while Gard arrived on another motorcycle driven by his wife. When they encountered the sidecar motorcycle, Hao reportedly drew a firearm and fired three shots, striking Gard in the left leg and the 14-year-old boy in the right leg before fleeing the scene.

The baby’s grandmother, 44-year-old Chalio, said the family was deeply distressed, noting doctors could not conduct an X-ray due to the child’s age and must monitor symptoms such as drowsiness or vomiting. She criticised the use of firearms in a residential area and urged stricter controls on gun ownership.

Police later confirmed that a 17-year-old youth had surrendered to investigators at Bang Saphan police station and is now being processed under the law. Gard remains hospitalised under police supervision, while the baby continues to receive close medical care.

Matichon reported that authorities say the investigation will continue, with legal proceedings to follow against those involved. Police have also pledged to review security measures at local markets to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Key Takeaways

• A three-month-old baby injured during the Bang Saphan market shooting is now in a safe condition.

• Police have detained a 17-year-old suspect who surrendered to investigators on 2 January 2026.

• The shooting stemmed from a teenage dispute that escalated into gun violence in a public area.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-01-03

 

 

Crazy. Again.

My attention was drawn to this...

On 1/3/2026 at 9:21 AM, Georgealbert said:

The sidecar motorcycle was carrying five people at the time, including a 24-year-old man, his 15-year-old wife who was carrying the baby in a front carrier

I thought 20 was the age people could get married, with possible exceptions allowing 17 year olds?

13 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

Crazy. Again.

My attention was drawn to this...

I thought 20 was the age people could get married, with possible exceptions allowing 17 year olds?

13 with a judges permission

15 with parental consent