Pictures courtesy of Thaitabloid

A 13-year-old boy was shot dead while sitting with friends near a canal bridge in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district in the early hours of 23 January 2026, prompting a police investigation into a suspected gang-related shooting. The teenager was killed at the scene after being struck by a single gunshot to the chest, while the attackers fled on motorcycles. Police say the incident has caused alarm among residents in the surrounding community.

The shooting occurred at 01.10am in Soi Phahonyothin 57, Anusawari sub-district, Bang Khen, according to investigators from Bang Khen Police Station. Police were alerted to reports that a juvenile had been shot with a firearm and rushed to the scene with senior officers, forensic teams, a medical examiner from Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital and rescue volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation. The victim, identified as Noom, was found lying on his back beneath a canal bridge, wearing a red and yellow short-sleeved T-shirt and black shorts.

Officers reported that the boy had suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest, above the right nipple and was pronounced dead at the scene. Approximately 100 metres away, police recovered two 9mm bullets and one .38 calibre cartridge casing on a concrete walkway, which were collected as evidence by forensic officers. The area is part of the Ruam Jai Pattana Tai community, located beneath the bridge along the canal-side road.

A 14-year-old friend of the victim, identified as Nong, told police that the group regularly met at the canal-side spot to sit and talk. On the night of the incident, more than 10 teenagers arrived on six motorcycles. Two males dressed in black and wearing full-face helmets reportedly approached, shouted “Hey, Ai Pro,” and opened fire, with three to four shots heard before the group fled.

Thaitabloid reported that the witness said he and others ran towards the bridge to escape, but the victim collapsed after being shot and later died. Police investigators are now reviewing CCTV footage along potential escape routes used by the suspects, who are believed to have fled by motorcycle. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Bureau’s Investigation Division and Bang Khen Police Station are working to identify and arrest those responsible.

Key Takeaways

• A 13-year-old boy was shot dead under a canal bridge in Bangkok’s Bang Khen district on 23 January 2026.

• Witnesses reported more than 10 attackers arriving on six motorcycles, with two gunmen opening fire.

• Police are reviewing CCTV footage and continuing efforts to track down the suspects.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thaitabloid 2026-01-24

 

 

Gun control going well then...NOT.

Thailand needs to get a handle on the teen gangs here that seem to be increasing.

6 minutes ago, Emdog said:

Thailand needs to get a handle on the teen gangs here that seem to be increasing.

Kind of hard to do when laws prevent prosecution of teens under a certain age and parents arent involved in raising their children or held accountable and no one takes responsibility.

1 hour ago, brian69 said:

Gun control going well then...NOT.

Little to do with gun control but respect for life not taught to them while still in the parents house. A justice system that allows youngsters to get away with so much has them putting the middle finger up at all authority also. One that gives the children automatically to the mothers, which has the fathers more likely to not get involved and pay support. Mothers then, as much as 40%, leaving the children back home while they look for work elsewhere, with grandma taking care of them, many times illiterate and too old and incompetent to make a difference, allowing them to run rampant, on scooters at 8 years old, with no curfews or chores.

On 1/24/2026 at 5:46 AM, Georgealbert said:

The shooting occurred at 01.10am in Soi Phahonyothin 57, Anusawari sub-district,

What was a 13 year old doing out at that time of the morning??

Sadly, I grew up with these types of incidents in So. CAL. Very sad for the Parents to have lost their son. It is painful.

Nothing can be done to stop it. If not guns, they will use Knives...if not knives, they will use other weapons...

And the band played on....

Rest in peace young man.

2 hours ago, Taboo2 said:

Sadly, I grew up with these types of incidents in So. CAL. Very sad for the Parents to have lost their son. It is painful.

Nothing can be done to stop it. If not guns, they will use Knives...if not knives, they will use other weapons...

And the band played on....

Rest in peace young man.

A sad but accurate comment IMHO

If the 13 year old was at his home in bed he would be alive today. RIP Young Man..

On 1/24/2026 at 11:39 AM, fredwiggy said:

Little to do with gun control but respect for life not taught to them while still in the parents house. A justice system that allows youngsters to get away with so much has them putting the middle finger up at all authority also. One that gives the children automatically to the mothers, which has the fathers more likely to not get involved and pay support. Mothers then, as much as 40%, leaving the children back home while they look for work elsewhere, with grandma taking care of them, many times illiterate and too old and incompetent to make a difference, allowing them to run rampant, on scooters at 8 years old, with no curfews or chores.

Spot on!

On 1/24/2026 at 11:30 AM, Dan O said:

Kind of hard to do when laws prevent prosecution of teens under a certain age and parents arent involved in raising their children or held accountable and no one takes responsibility.

I wonder if it was dad the 8policemans gun.

UPDATE

Court Denies Bail for Eight Teens in Fatal Shooting Case