Pictures courtesy of Amarin

A well-known local musician was shot dead in a brutal roadside attack in Nakhon Ratchasima, sending shockwaves through the Dan Khun Thot district and prompting an urgent police manhunt. The victim was killed in the early hours, after being confronted by assailants on a main road, with investigators treating the case as a targeted killing linked to a professional dispute.

The shooting occurred on 18 January at around 04.45am on the Dan Khun Thot–Thepharak road, near the junction to Ban Nong Phluang in Phan Chana subdistrict. Rescue workers from Hook 31 Prisuttho and officers from Dan Khun Thot Police Station found the body of Mr Pichet Chaengkhunthot, aged 47, lying face-up in the middle of the road.

Mr Pichet was the drummer and leader of “Raikaj Band”, a well-known local music group in Dan Khun Thot district. He had been shot with a 12-gauge shotgun, with the wound entering through his mouth and exiting the back of his head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police found two spent 12-gauge shotgun shells near the body, along with a black Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck registered in Nakhon Ratchasima parked on the roadside. The vehicle’s engine was still running with hazard lights activated, while the victim’s mobile phone was found on the front passenger seat and several musical instruments were located in the rear of the truck.

According to his wife, Ms Nutree, aged 37, Mr Pichet routinely returned home between 2am and 3am after performing at local restaurants. On the morning of the incident, he failed to return by 4am and could not be reached by phone, before relatives later informed her that he had been shot dead.

Ms Nutree told police her husband had previously mentioned a conflict with another music band, allegedly over accusations that he had taken their work. She said he had not spoken of any other disputes or threats prior to his death.

Forensic officers from Provincial Police Region 3 later examined the scene to collect evidence and fingerprints to support the investigation. Dan Khun Thot police chief Pol Col Phatthanakorn Soongnart described the killing as a shocking crime carried out without regard for the law.

Police believe the suspects, possibly more than one, were known to the victim and that the incident stemmed from an occupational dispute or a face-to-face confrontation. Investigators suspect the victim stopped his vehicle to speak with the attackers before an argument escalated, leading him to attempt to flee and ultimately being fatally shot.

Amarin reported that at 08.45am on the same day, police detained a male and a female suspect for intensive questioning. The investigation is ongoing as officers work to identify if the suspects are guilty of the shooting.

Key Takeaways

• A prominent local band leader in Nakhon Ratchasima was shot dead with a shotgun during a roadside confrontation.

• Police believe the motive is linked to a professional dispute within the local music scene.

• Two suspects are being questioned as investigators pursue further evidence and arrests.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2026-01-19

 

 

UPDATE

Gunman Arrested in Brutal Killing of Band Drummer

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Police have arrested the suspected gunman and several accomplices in the killing of a well-known local musician in Nakhon Ratchasima, revealing a premeditated plan involving multiple vehicles to trap the victim before he was shot dead. The arrest marks a major development in a case that shocked the local music community and residents of Dan Khun Thot district. Investigators say the crime was carefully coordinated and carried out with extreme violence.

The incident occurred at about 4.00am on 18 January 2026 on the Dan Khun Thot–Thepharak Road, near the junction leading to Ban Nong Phluang in Phan Chana subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The victim was identified as Mr Pichet, also known as “Noom”, Chaeng Khun Thot, the drummer of Rai Kaj Band. He was attacked while travelling on the road and was later pronounced dead after being shot in the mouth with a shotgun.

At 10.30am on 19 January 2026, investigators from Sikhio Police Station and Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police arrested Mr Nirand, also known as “Odd”, Boonma, aged 41, identified as the gunman. Four other suspects were also taken into custody for their roles in the attack. Police named them as Mr Chai, also known as “Wao”, Bekhunthod, who drove a six-wheel truck to block the victim’s vehicle from the front, Mr Teerawat, also known as “Arm”, Por Sung Noen, who drove a ten-wheel truck to block the rear and Mr Sinchai, also known as “Hum”, Suea Prakhon, who drove a black saloon car to cut in first, along with another suspect who used a light to assist the shooting.

Police said one additional suspect, Mr Nattawut, also known as “Vee”, Yaemlamun, who was travelling in the six-wheel truck, remains at large. All suspects in custody reportedly confessed to jointly planning the killing, with Mr Nirand acting as the ringleader. Investigators said the victim’s vehicle was forced to stop before Mr Nirand exited his car and fired a number 11 shotgun at close range.

Earlier on the same day, Pol Col Phatthakorn Soongnart, superintendent of Dan Khun Thot Police Station, said four suspects had initially been arrested and admitted to planning to confront the victim over an ongoing dispute but denied being the shooter. Police later sought and obtained an arrest warrant from Sikhio Provincial Court for the gunman, who was subsequently apprehended.

Amarin reported that Maj Gen Narongsak Phromtha, commander of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, lead a reconstruction at the scene, as the investigation remains ongoing. Meanwhile, the victim’s son and relatives collected Mr Pichet’s body from Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital to conduct funeral rites at Wat Ban Don Wang Bua.

Key Takeaways

• Police say the killing of a band drummer was premeditated and involved multiple vehicles blocking his car.

• The alleged gunman and four accomplices have been arrested, with one suspect still on the run.

• Authorities are continuing the investigation and preparing formal charges.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Amarin 2026-01-20