Village head kills friend in row over politics

NUCHAREE RAEKRUN

Nakhon Si Thammarat _ An argument over politics led to bloodshed after a village headman flew into a rage and shot a friend to death on Wednesday night. Police said Vicharn Santewarakul, 31, a member of Bang Nop tambon administration organisation (TAO), was shot three times at funeral rites in Hua Sai district in Nakhon Si Thammarat. He died on the way to hospital.

continued here at the Bangkok Post: www.bangkokpost.com/News/09Nov2007_news11.php

an election campaign full power.

not sure why they were discussing politics during funeral rites - they suppose to be meditating about nirvana and reincarnation

an election campaign full power.

not sure why they were discussing politics during funeral rites - they suppose to be meditating about nirvana and reincarnation

Down here Funeral rites tend to involve the body being at home for upto 10 days, people turn up at night are fed. They give the family a varying amount of money. The monks turn up, and go through the prayer ritual. When the monks depart the majority of the "mourners" also leave. Some stay to gamble all night. This is to help the family the deceased is never alone.

The shooting probably happened during the meal. I can't confirm because the Bangkok Post link appears to be dead.

From personal experience the Thais talk about their every day issues at the table. I even know of one guy who used such an event to meet with his cronies when he was campaigning for the Nai Yok's job.