Phetchaburi village headman shoots chaos-causing addict

A community in Phetchaburi was left in turmoil after a drug-addicted young man created chaos, leading the village headman to shoot him. The incident occurred yesterday evening when the young man, recently released from rehab, threatened violence.

Police Lieutenant Nattathun Poonseesang of Ban Lat Police Station disclosed that at 8pm yesterday, a shooting incident was reported in front of the village headman’s office in Moo 2, Ban Hat Subdistrict, Ban Lat District, Phetchaburi Province. Upon receiving the report, Police Colonel Apirak Permchai, along with emergency responders from Mahachai Phetcharat Hospital, forensic officers, and the Sawang Sarnphetthammasatharn Rescue Foundation, rushed to the scene.

The injured man, identified as 25 year old Nontawat was found with severe gunshot wounds. He was immediately transported to Phra Chom Klao Hospital in Phetchaburi for emergency treatment.

Nearby, a red-plated Honda motorcycle belonging to Nontawat lay overturned in the street. Two bottles of kratom juice and six 11mm bullet casings were also discovered at the scene. The village headman, Chalermphon, was present and willingly surrendered to the police.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Nontawat had driven his motorcycle to the headman’s office, causing a disturbance by shaking the gate and shouting profanities. Chalermphon, losing patience, fired his gun at Nontawat, who was causing a scene in front of the house.

The conflict reportedly stemmed from Nontawat’s anger towards Chalermphon for having previously reported him for drug rehabilitation, as well as for warning him about his inappropriate behaviour, including harming his mother and demanding money for drugs.

Headman shooting

Police charged Chalermphon with attempted murder and violating the Firearms Act. He is currently in police custody and will be further investigated.

Banpot, Nontawat’s 59 year old grandfather, recounted that he was watching football at home, about 100 metres from the incident, when he heard a gunshot. He discovered Nontawat injured in front of the village headman’s house with his motorcycle lying in the middle of the road. Banpot mentioned that earlier in the day, Nontawat had already caused a disturbance at the headman’s office, which police had quelled, but he managed to escape.

Banpot added that in the evening, Nontawat returned to continue his rampage, resulting in gunshot injuries to his arm and leg. Nontawat’s drug addiction had been a long-standing issue, and despite undergoing rehabilitation, he quickly reverted to his old habits, causing daily disturbances both at home and in the community, reported KhaoSod.

Chaliao, the 65 year old father of the village headman, described Nontawat as a habitual drug user prone to violent outbursts, often carrying a machete. On the day of the incident, Nontawat had assaulted his mother, destroyed household items, and threatened to blow up the village headman’s house. This behaviour had left the community and Chalermphon’s family frustrated and fearful of future incidents.