Samut Songkhram teenagers arrested for firing Uzi in new year celebration
Seven teenagers from Samut Songkhram were apprehended after celebrating the new year by firing an Uzi submachine gun along a roadside. Following their arrest, the group issued a public apology, vowing not to repeat their actions.
The incident gained attention when a Facebook user shared a video of five teenagers firing guns, including the Uzi, as part of their new year celebrations. The post also included the message Happy Thai New Year and was tagged at Phuang Malai Temple, suggesting the teenagers were locals. The video, which has since been removed, caused fear among viewers.
Yesterday, January 6, at 2pm, at the Samut Songkhram Provincial Police Headquarters, Police Major General Sompop Kuhawichanant, the Commander of Samut Songkhram Provincial Police, and Police Colonel Sayam Insuwanono, Superintendent of Mueang Samut Songkhram Police Station, announced the arrests.
The individuals involved were identified as 47 year old Paitoon, 26 year old Thanyatep, 28 year old Thanyathorn, 26 year old Wayu, 37 year old Naret, 26 year old Jakkrit, and 21 year old Surachai. They were found with six blank-firing guns.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Sompop explained that the incident occurred on the roadside near Wat Phuang Malai, in the Mueang district of Samut Songkhram, during the transition from 2024 to 2025. After the event, Mueang Samut Songkhram Police investigators identified the suspects and obtained a search warrant from the Samut Songkhram Provincial Court, dated January 3, to search a house in the area. The search revealed no illegal items.
Later that day, at 9.45am, the suspects contacted the police to surrender their firearms, which were identified as blank-firing guns. The police recorded the seizure and fined each individual 500 baht (US$14) for causing a public nuisance without reasonable cause. The teenagers assured that they would not engage in such behaviour again.
The group expressed regret for their actions, explaining that they had been drinking to celebrate the new year, which led to reckless behaviour. They admitted to purchasing the blank guns online and firing them in a moment of excitement, not anticipating the ensuing trouble, reported KhaoSod.
After posting the video online, they realised their mistake and removed it approximately three hours later. They apologised to the community for the alarm caused by their actions.
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