Community chief ends life after shooting ex-girlfriend in Phetchaburi

A Thai community chief in the southern province of Phetchaburi committed suicide after shooting his ex-girlfriend at her beauty salon. Fortunately, the woman survived the shooting but remains in a critical condition.

A Thai man, Luechai, rushed to his girlfriend’s beauty salon in the Banlat district of Phetchaburi after hearing two gunshots while talking to her on the phone. Upon arrival, Luechai found his girlfriend, 40 year old Noi, lying on the salon floor with bloody wounds to her body. He immediately reported the matter to Banlat Police Station.

Luechai revealed to the Daily News that Noi called him to inform him that her ex-boyfriend, 50 year old Jamlong Sangpuk, who was the community head came to her salon. Luechai heard the two engaged in a heated argument before the gunshots.

According to a police report, Noi was shot in her right shoulder, neck, and waist. She is in a critical condition and was rushed to Phra Chomklao Phetchaburi Hospital.

Jamlong was the primary suspect in the case, so the police visited his residence, which was only 300 metres from the crime scene. They discovered Jamlong lying dead on a marble bench outside his home. He had reportedly taken his own life with a 9mm pistol, which was still in his hand.

Noi’s friend, 51 year old Urairat Thunnark, informed the media that Noi and Jamlong had been in a relationship for several years before Noi distanced herself from Jamlong three months ago. They then lived apart and began to argue until their relationship ended.

Urairat also mentioned that she had seen Jamlong arrive at the salon on his red and black Honda Wave 110 motorcycle just before she heard the gunshots.

In a related story, a 69 year old retired police officer, Chok Rongdate, shot dead his ex-wife, 70 year old Somkid Rattanaphan, yesterday before taking his own life. Somkid bore 16 gunshot wounds across her body, and a neighbour heard Chok shout before the shooting that he had two magazines of bullets, about 24 to 30 bullets.

The gunman’s friend revealed that the two divorced each other about a month before the incident. Chok did not want to divorce Somkid but she paid him 300,000 baht to sign the divorce. They continued to argue over their assets and jealousy, leading to the fatal shooting.

If you or anyone you know is in emotional distress, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand 24-hour hotline: 02 713 6791 (English), 02 713 6793 (Thai), or the Thai Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai). Please also contact your friends or relatives at this time if you have feelings of loneliness, stress, or depression. Seek help.