Gun-cleaning itch turns tragic: 91 year old Thai man accidentally shoots himself in Chon Buri mishap

A 91 year old Thai man tragically lost his life while cleaning his gun at his residence in the Chon Buri province. The victim, Jian Wannapong, accidentally shot himself after using the gun to alleviate an itch in his ear.

The report of her husband’s death was reported to Nong Prue Police Station by 75 year old Lamyai Boonchu, who is now a widow. The incident occurred yesterday, November 21, and officers promptly responded to the call. Upon arriving at the house on Soi Rong Nam in Chon Buri’s Bang Lamueng district, they discovered Jian’s lifeless body in the backyard.

Jian was lying dead on the ground with a gunshot wound near his right ear. A .38 revolver with six remaining bullets was found near his body.

Lamyai told officers that Jian was cleaning his gun and that she was sitting about 1 metre away from him when the gun went off. She then heard gunshots and saw her husband fall to the ground. She rushed to check on her husband and shook him to wake him but to no avail.

Nong Prue Police Station officer Wachirawit Wisutsaereephan said he interviewed other witnesses and found that Jian had used the gun to scratch his left ear and accidentally shot himself.

Nevertheless, Jain’s body was taken to the hospital for an autopsy. Officers would check the trajectory of the gun to officially close the case before allowing Jian’s family to take the body back for his funeral and cremation.

A similar fatal shooting was reported last year in Samut Prakarn province, near Bangkok. A 42 year old Thai man was cleaning his CMMG Mk4 3GR rifle in his home and accidentally shot himself, leaving a wound in his chest. He was taken to hospital in a serious condition, but his condition has not been made public.

Three weeks ago, a 14 year old boy accidentally shot himself in the penis with a pen gun, which also hit his 16 year old friend in the leg.