Village Election Threat Sparks 20km Pickup Chase in Buriram

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

A local election campaign in Buriram province turned violent on 9 January 2026 after a candidate for a subdistrict council reported being threatened with a gun and chased for more than 20 kilometres, raising serious safety concerns during the ongoing subdistrict administrative organisation (Or Bor Tor) elections. The incident caused fear among the victim and his family and prompted an urgent police complaint seeking protection and legal action.

The complainant, Mr Ekaphop, a candidate for subdistrict administrative organisation council member (Sor Or Bor Tor) in Nang Rong district, went to Nang Rong Police Station with his 67-year-old mother-in-law, Mrs Wanna, to file a formal report. He alleged that the grandfather of a rival candidate for subdistrict chief executive had driven to his home earlier that morning and threatened to shoot him. According to the complaint, the same man later followed their pickup truck aggressively as they travelled to the police station.

The background to the incident is linked to local election campaigning in the area. Mr Ekaphop stated that although he is the only candidate for council member in his village and has no direct opponent, he has been actively campaigning to support another candidate for subdistrict chief executive. That candidate is a rival to the suspect’s daughter-in-law, who is standing for the executive position for the first time, which Mr Ekaphop believes triggered the confrontation.

Mrs Wanna told police that at around 7.00am, while she was washing vegetables beside her house, the suspect arrived in a pickup truck and shouted for her son-in-law to come out. She quoted the man as yelling, “ไอ้ขำมันอยู่ไหนจะมายิงกะบาลมัน,” which translates to a threat to shoot him in the head. The incident occurred first at Mr Ekaphop’s home and then again at his mother-in-law’s house.

Later, as Mr Ekaphop, his mother-in-law and neighbours travelled together to file a complaint, the suspect allegedly pursued them in another pickup truck. The chase involved dangerous driving, including cutting in front of their vehicle and overtaking on both sides, continuing for more than 20 kilometres. Fearing the suspect may have had a firearm, Mr Ekaphop accelerated to escape until the pursuit stopped near a school close to the police station.

At the station, the victims reported being shaken and requested police protection, stating they feared further harm. Mr Ekaphop said he has been involved in local politics since 1997, has served multiple terms as a council member and previously held senior local positions without ever facing such threats. He urged authorities to uphold democratic principles and pursue the case strictly according to the law.

Amarin reported that police in Nang Rong are investigating the complaint, assess the alleged threats and consider measures to ensure the safety of those involved as the local election campaign continues.

Key Takeaways

• A Buriram local election dispute escalated into alleged death threats and a 20km vehicle chase on 9 January 2026.

• The victim claims the incident was motivated by dissatisfaction over his support for a rival subdistrict chief executive candidate.

• Police are investigating and have been asked to provide legal action and safety protection.

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2026-01-11