Young father fatally shot at molam event in Ubon Ratchathani

A tragic incident unfolded when a 25 year old father was fatally shot in the head while attempting to break up a fight among teenagers. This heartbreaking event occurred yesterday, November 6, just after the father had returned home to visit his family.

The incident took place around 1.20am yesterday, at a molam (traditional Thai folk music) event near a local market in Ban Tha Hai, Khueang Nai district, Ubon Ratchathani province. Upon receiving a report of a brawl, police officers, led by Khajonsak Trakarnthai, rushed to the scene along with investigators.

At the site, they discovered a Toyota Revo pickup truck, belonging to the perpetrator, with both side mirrors broken and the driver’s side door handle detached. Beside the front left wheel, a 9mm pistol magazine was found, which was collected as evidence.

A pool of blood was located approximately 3 metres away from the vehicle, belonging to Rungtiwa, who had been critically injured by a gunshot to the head. Despite being rushed to Khueang Nai Hospital by good Samaritans, he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. Another individual, identified as Art (a pseudonym), sustained a knife wound to the back of the neck and was also taken to the hospital for treatment.

Eyewitnesses recounted the events leading up to the shooting. The attacker, known by the nickname Yu, hailed from Mueang Ubon Ratchathani district. Yu, along with friends, arrived at the molam event in their pickup truck.

A dispute then arose between Yu and local teenagers, escalating into a confrontation. Rungtiwa attempted to intervene, managing to embrace Yu and wrestle the gun until the magazine fell out. However, there was still one bullet left in the chamber, which Yu used to shoot Rungrit in the head before fleeing the scene in the pickup truck, reported KhaoSod.

Fatally shot

Rungtiwa worked at a restaurant in Bangkok and had returned home for a visit, with plans to head back later that day. Sadly, the situation took a tragic turn. On social media, Rungrit’s last post featured a photo of his six month old son, accompanied by a heartfelt message:

“I may not be the best man, but I will be the best father and man for you. My boy may not always be adorable to others but he is always the most precious to me.

“I used to worry about many things but now nothing matters more than my son. Working hard is worth it when I see your smile. Waking up to see you every morning is what brings me the greatest happiness in life.”