A 52-year-old Chinese tourist was injured when a firearm discharged at a Phuket shooting range on 18 March 2026. The bullet struck her right cheek, embedding the projectile and causing facial trauma. She was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital for urgent treatment.

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The incident occurred at around 18:00 local time in Kathu district, after Miss Xiao Lili and a companion had used the shooting range’s facilities. They were taking photographs near the firing lanes when the taxi driver accompanying them reported the injury. Authorities responded immediately, transporting her to hospital.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the shooting range employee involved, 28-year-old Mr Patiharn, who was at a staff area approximately 20 metres from the victim. He admitted to handling his own personal firearm without checking it was unloaded, causing it to discharge. The bullet penetrated a wooden wall and glass door before hitting the tourist.

Police have taken Mr Patiharn into custody for questioning and intend to press charges for “negligent causing of serious injury” and “unauthorised possession of a firearm and ammunition.” Officials emphasised that the investigation is ongoing, and legal procedures will follow.

Matichon noted that accidental firearm discharges at shooting ranges, while rare, underscore the importance of strict safety protocols and staff training. Authorities are reviewing the shooting range’s safety measures and may implement additional regulations to prevent similar incidents.

Picture courtesy of Matichon

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 19 Mar 2026

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Tourists are a menace on rented motorbikes. Gun rental is a truly awful idea ☹️

Gun are not toys to be played with for amusemen!

There are basic rules around guns for a reason

...one of those rules ..always check it's unloaded before handling any firearm.

...another one ..never point a gun at somebody unless you intend to use it.

Should be part of basic training

I rode by the one in Rawai at the bottom of the Kata Hill last week and remembered years ago a guy committed suicide there. Rented the gun, put it to his head.

Shooting range, terrible idea.

A shooting range on a tourist island is a terrible idea. Much technique, experience and discipline is required to maintain safety. This is something I would avoid.

I cannot understand that in a state where the possession of firearms is strictly regulated and forbidden for almost everyone, shooting ranges like this are set up, where everyone is allowed to live out their desire to shoot for good pay. Even at larger folk festivals, such shooting ranges, operated by the Thai Army, are often found. Incomprehensible.

A visiting tourist shot by an employee of the shooting range she was attending. TIT.

First rule of firearms handling: ASSUME OR PRESUME ALL FIREARMS ARE LOADED AND THE SAFETY IS OFF. I have handled firearms for over 30 years and carried them on duty in both law enforcement and military and these types of ND's (Negligent Discharge) do occur. Do not have much faith in the safety culture of firearms ranges in LOS. Hence I have never been to a range in LOS.

Thái competency and stupid tourists running round taking photos

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

Tourists are a menace on rented motorbikes. Gun rental is a truly awful idea ☹️

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

Tourists are a menace on rented motorbikes. Gun rental is a truly awful idea ☹️

This was at a gun range, the gun was used by a range employee....I don't understand your comment.

A lot of you are blaming the tourist!

Why?

It was a firearm instructor who was wrong!

6 minutes ago, cnx101 said:

Thái competency and stupid tourists running round taking photos

Why do you say that about an innocent victim... there's words, as an Aussie, I would like to say but would likely get banned.

49 minutes ago, BerndD said:

I cannot understand that in a state where the possession of firearms is strictly regulated and forbidden for almost everyone, shooting ranges like this are set up, where everyone is allowed to live out their desire to shoot for good pay. Even at larger folk festivals, such shooting ranges, operated by the Thai Army, are often found. Incomprehensible.

Many countries have them, even Australia, which has some of the strictest firearm laws, in the world. These ranges are strictly licenced, with strict safety procedures, the difference is, Thailand does not understand safety, or abide by any laws.

3 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

1 hour ago, Wuvu2 said:

Tourists are a menace on rented motorbikes. Gun rental is a truly awful idea ☹️

This was at a gun range, the gun was used by a range employee....I don't understand your comment.

It doesn't seem that the "employee" was a highly trained firearms expert. My comment is that this is an industry we'd all be better off without 🙄

He's lucky it hit her in the cheek , otherwise probably looking at charges for her death if it hit in a slightly different area of her head .

Thailand and safety protocols... Never the twain shall meet.

Fortunate to survive, slightly different direction and it would have been tragic.

I don't expect she will be leaving a good Google review.

There was a shooting range underneath, in the basement, of Alcazar in Pattaya.....check out the ladyboys...get half cut then go down and fire away!

No idea if it's still there.

1 hour ago, Aussie999 said:

Many countries have them, even Australia, which has some of the strictest firearm laws, in the world. These ranges are strictly licenced, with strict safety procedures, the difference is, Thailand does not understand safety, or abide by any laws.

Totally agree with you. I emailed a range in the CNX area and asked the usual firearms related saftey questions. Never went to the range. The person responding did not seem the understand the concept of a Rangemaster. To me a Rangemaster is like god. When he or she yells "Cease Fire" everyone obeys. From the response I got a firearms safe handling class did not sound like it was part of the experience.

I know everyone here has watched many movies and tv shows with guns. In the US if you are of legal age, have no criminal offenses that would deny an applicant and no mental/psychological condition to deny an applicant you can buy a gun.

No training, no knowledge of even how the gun works. Makes zero since. If the military spends many hours and thousands of dollars on weapons training it must be for a good reason.

Another lesson foreigners learn while living in Thailand. Many other fun activities to do that are safer I guess

7 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Gun are not toys to be played with for amusement!

Or used at all!

10 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:

First rule of firearms handling: ASSUME OR PRESUME ALL FIREARMS ARE LOADED AND THE SAFETY IS OFF. I have handled firearms for over 30 years and carried them on duty in both law enforcement and military and these types of ND's (Negligent Discharge) do occur. Do not have much faith in the safety culture of firearms ranges in LOS. Hence I have never been to a range in LOS.

Wise words from one with experience- certainly to me any system that involves humans will eventually fail in some way - as we humans make mistakes- and with guns sadly mistakes can often have serious or deadly consequences

The absence of a safety culture strikes once again.

On 3/19/2026 at 10:09 AM, Wuvu2 said:

It doesn't seem that the "employee" was a highly trained firearms expert. My comment is that this is an industry we'd all be better off without 🙄

If done correctly it is safe, and fun,,,using your "logic" many pastimes would not exist....give me a good reason why it shouldn't exist...

2 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

If done correctly it is safe, and fun,,,using your "logic" many pastimes would not exist....give me a good reason why it shouldn't exist...

How do I know it is not being done correctly or safely? Because it was the firing range's safety staff who shot their own customer 🙄

54 minutes ago, Wuvu2 said:

How do I know it is not being done correctly or safely? Because it was the firing range's safety staff who shot their own customer 🙄

Irrelevant, this is 1 instance, at 1 range, your original comment referred to all ranges, in all countries...perhaps, your post was not what you intended to say.

23 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

.perhaps, your post was not what you intended to say.

I understand that you disagree, and my post was exactly what I intended to say: gun rentals - and condom rentals - are truly awful ideas ☹️

Seven people died from gunshot wounds during a nationwide NRA gun safety training day.........you couldn't write this stuff.

On 3/21/2026 at 3:43 PM, Wuvu2 said:

I understand that you disagree, and my post was exactly what I intended to say: gun rentals - and condom rentals - are truly awful ideas ☹️

so, you're saying gun ranges, are not a good idea... then tell us why.