A police officer shot and killed a cannabis shop owner off Walking Street in Pattaya in the early hours of 19 April 2026, following a reported alcohol-fuelled confrontation. The victim, 41-year-old Pattathorn, was shot twice in the torso and later died in hospital despite emergency treatment.

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Police were alerted at 01:05 to reports of gunfire and a seriously injured person behind a cannabis shop at 104/3 off Walking Street, South Pattaya, Chon Buri. Pol Lt Col Peerayut Borisuttham, an inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, informed his superior, Pol Col Anek Sarathongyu, before arriving with officers and rescue volunteers.

At the scene, officers found the victim lying critically injured and struggling to breathe while friends attempted to keep him conscious. Rescue workers provided first aid and had to perform CPR before rushing him to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The suspect was detained at the scene and identified as a police officer attached to Pattaya City Police Station, though his name has not been disclosed. Officers seized a handgun and ammunition as evidence and secured the area with police crime tape to prevent public access.

Witnesses told police the suspect appeared heavily intoxicated and had been brandishing a firearm, threatening people in the area. He reportedly fired into an entertainment venue, although no one was injured in that incident.

Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

The victim had attempted to intervene and asked the suspect to put the weapon away, despite there being no prior argument between them. The suspect later followed him and then fired two shots at the victim, causing him to collapse.

The shooting occurred during Songkran/Wan Lai festivities in Pattaya, a period known for large crowds and heightened activity. The incident has raised concerns about public safety and conduct during the festival period.

Pol Col Anek Sarathongyu has ordered an investigation team to gather evidence and proceed with legal action against the suspect. Authorities have not yet released further details on charges or disciplinary measures. Officials are expected to continue their investigation, including reviewing witness statements and forensic evidence, as the case moves forward through the legal process.

Caution video contains CCTV of the incident

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Adapted by ASEAN Now SiamChon 19 Apr 2026

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As usual there are very stable guys in the force.

Definitely not a good look for the image of Pattaya.

Poor guy.

8 minutes ago, blaze master said:

Definitely not a good look for the image of Pattaya.

Poor guy.

More the image of the RTP than Pattaya. A drunk low impulse control BIB with a gun kills someone for telling him to put his gun away.

Even though this is by far the worst case of violence during Songkran in Pattaya its sure not the only one.....

Songkran in Pattaya is so far removed from what Songkran was originally that in many ways its become a festival of assault and violence...

Ok Ok and I dont mean everyone by any means not at all.....But enough people to where many people in Pattaya will try and avoid Songkran at all costs...

The Victim was the bad guy and the cop was the suspect?

1 minute ago, Taboo2 said:

The Victim was the bad guy and the cop was the suspect?

The cop was the bad guy and the 'suspect'.... the victim was the good guy trying to get the drunk cop to put away his gun. No doubt some will try to blame cannabis for the death....

2 minutes ago, Emdog said:

The cop was the bad guy and the 'suspect'.... the victim was the good guy trying to get the drunk cop to put away his gun. No doubt some will try to blame cannabis for the death....

OK, thanks...I got my coffee ready,,,,much easier to read now.

Troll posted removed.

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3 minutes ago, Emdog said:

The cop was the bad guy and the 'suspect'.... the victim was the good guy trying to get the drunk cop to put away his gun. No doubt some will try to blame cannabis for the death....

Yes, 100%. Blame weed. Ignore alcohol.

i understand why peoples say pattaya is a safe place🤣

25 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

Yes, 100%. Blame weed. Ignore alcohol.

25 minutes ago, Taboo2 said:

Yes, 100%. Blame weed. Ignore alcohol.

no, alcohol much more likely to make people violent than weed.

UPDATE

Pattaya Police Officer Charged After Shooting Cannabis Shop Owner Dead

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

A police officer in Pattaya has been suspended from service and charged after shooting dead a cannabis shop owner on Walking Street in Chon Buri. The suspect, identified as Pol Lt Jirasak Srikattanam, 54, was immediately taken into custody and placed in a detention cell. He has been charged with murder and firearms offences, including discharging a weapon in a public place and carrying a firearm without reasonable cause.

According to Pol Col Anek Sarathongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station. Authorities confirmed the suspect is a serving officer holding the rank of deputy inspector in the investigation division. A disciplinary committee has been established and he has been formally suspended from the police force pending further proceedings.

Background details indicate the off duty officer had been drinking alcohol before the shooting and became involved in an argument within a group. CCTV footage shows the victim attempting to intervene and calm the situation, raising his hands in a wai gesture and trying to restrain the suspect. During the confrontation, the officer allegedly fired his weapon, striking the victim, who later collapsed and died at the scene.

Pol Lt Jirasak, also known as “Muad Joe”, had recently completed officer training at the police academy in class 53 last year. Colleagues reportedly described him as normally well behaved and dedicated to his duties. Despite this, investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the fatal escalation, particularly the role of alcohol and the sequence of events captured on camera.

The case has prompted immediate disciplinary and criminal action, reflecting the seriousness of the offence involving a serving officer. Authorities have emphasised that a full and transparent investigation will be carried out, including a detailed review of all evidence and witness accounts. The use of a firearm in a public tourist area has also raised concerns about safety and police conduct.

Matichon reported that the suspect remains in custody as legal proceedings move forward. The disciplinary inquiry will run alongside the criminal case, with further updates expected as investigators complete their review. Officials have not ruled out additional charges pending the outcome of the investigation.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 19 Apr 2026

I already know how it’ll play out. The guy will get about ten years, but he’ll be out in three.

Cops don't do well in prison. Australia has what they call a 'judges' jail'. I bet there's one here for cops, judges, politicians.

Pattaya's very own 'Bad Lieutenant'. Wasn't there a drunken cop in Pai who killed a tourist a few years ago?

2 hours ago, VBer said:

I already know how it’ll play out. The guy will get about ten years, but he’ll be out in three.

How do you know this?

The average cop MO, and he was an officer LT, just gets wasted and them starts shooting if he does't like something. The RTP needs to do an internal audit and get rid of the idiots.

So even the old good cop bad cop routine

gets muddled up in Pattaya !

TBH As long as guns remain widespread, shootings will remain an inevitable reality. How often do we hear of children being shot in schools, parks, and other public places in certain countries? What have they done to stop it?

Internal audits alone will never address or prevent these indiscriminate acts of violence.

As usual, we can blame Thailand & the RTP at the drop of a hat, but ignore the big picture.

About 1:45 the victim who collapsed with out shirt appears to be firing a handgun?

He has been in the police service for one year and is a Inspector???

21 hours ago, blaze master said:

Definitely not a good look for the image of Pattaya.

Poor guy.

I was thinking the stabbing of a guy in Naklua the night before was a bad enough image....

UPDATE

Police Officer Dumps Shop Owner’s Phone in Sea After Shooting

Pictures courtesy of SiamChon

A police officer has been accused of fatally shooting a cannabis shop owner in Pattaya before allegedly throwing the victim’s mobile phone into the sea. The suspect, Police Sub-Lieutenant Jirasak Srikattanam, also known as “Muad Joe”, is attached to the Pattaya City Police investigation unit. The victim, Phattharathon Jirachokchaikul, 41, known as “King”, died after being shot at the back of his shop on Walking Street in South Pattaya, Chon Buri.

The shooting occurred behind the cannabis shop in Soi Pattaya 15/2. On 19 April 2026 at around 11:00, rescue workers and divers were deployed to search for the victim’s mobile phone after it was reportedly thrown into the sea by the suspect.

A close associate of the victim, identified as Toi, 59, helped guide the search by simulating the throw using a brick of similar weight to a phone. The device, an iPhone 17 Pro, was recovered within five minutes near the estimated drop point, approximately three metres from shore. The recovery is expected to play a role in the ongoing investigation, as police believe that it may contain video of the incident.

According to witness accounts relayed by Toi, the suspect arrived at the shop with an associate named Golf and an unidentified woman. A confrontation broke out in the kitchen area at the rear of the premises, during which the suspect allegedly pointed a gun at Golf and fired one shot that missed. When the victim intervened, he was shot three times in the abdomen despite attempts to disarm the suspect.

Toi stated that the victim had no known disputes with the suspect and was regarded as a good-natured individual with no criminal history. He described the victim as the primary provider for his family, including his wife, mother, and two children. Concerns have been raised about the suspect’s behaviour after arrest, with reports that he showed no fear of the law and verbally confronted officers. The National Commissioner General of Police to the media he has ordered full disciplinary and criminal action against the officer.

The victim’s family has since travelled to the hospital to identify the body, which will undergo a post-mortem examination before funeral rites. Relatives, particularly the victim’s wife and mother, were described as deeply distressed. Authorities are proceeding with legal action as the investigation continues.

Adapted by ASEAN Now SiamChon 20 Apr 2026

Was the police officer an ICE agent?

21 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

UPDATE

Pattaya Police Officer Charged After Shooting Cannabis Shop Owner Dead

Pictures courtesy of Matichon

A police officer in Pattaya has been suspended from service and charged after shooting dead a cannabis shop owner on Walking Street in Chon Buri. The suspect, identified as Pol Lt Jirasak Srikattanam, 54, was immediately taken into custody and placed in a detention cell. He has been charged with murder and firearms offences, including discharging a weapon in a public place and carrying a firearm without reasonable cause.

According to Pol Col Anek Sarathongyu, superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station. Authorities confirmed the suspect is a serving officer holding the rank of deputy inspector in the investigation division. A disciplinary committee has been established and he has been formally suspended from the police force pending further proceedings.

Background details indicate the off duty officer had been drinking alcohol before the shooting and became involved in an argument within a group. CCTV footage shows the victim attempting to intervene and calm the situation, raising his hands in a wai gesture and trying to restrain the suspect. During the confrontation, the officer allegedly fired his weapon, striking the victim, who later collapsed and died at the scene.

Pol Lt Jirasak, also known as “Muad Joe”, had recently completed officer training at the police academy in class 53 last year. Colleagues reportedly described him as normally well behaved and dedicated to his duties. Despite this, investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances that led to the fatal escalation, particularly the role of alcohol and the sequence of events captured on camera.

The case has prompted immediate disciplinary and criminal action, reflecting the seriousness of the offence involving a serving officer. Authorities have emphasised that a full and transparent investigation will be carried out, including a detailed review of all evidence and witness accounts. The use of a firearm in a public tourist area has also raised concerns about safety and police conduct.

Matichon reported that the suspect remains in custody as legal proceedings move forward. The disciplinary inquiry will run alongside the criminal case, with further updates expected as investigators complete their review. Officials have not ruled out additional charges pending the outcome of the investigation.

Adapted by ASEAN Now Matichon 19 Apr 2026

Thanks George

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/GR66DD/thailand-police-officer-pattaya-beach-s-e-asia-GR66DD.jpg

Serve and protect?

Maybe he didn't get the memo?

These cops should be made to lock up guns in safe at police station. Drinking with guns dangerous. Go home not happy with wife , bang all happens too often.

One of their own on a murder charge, how will the police fix this one.

Too serious a crime to be demoted to an inactive post

This drunken mogon was issed a firearm to protect the public. Not kill then ln a drunken rage. innactive post but no jailtime will be the outcome.