Mobile SIM card dispute leads to fatal shooting in Uthai Thani

A heated argument over a mobile phone SIM card ended tragically when a man shot his uncle dead at the front door of their home. The gunman, a former village assistant headman, had resigned after testing positive for drugs.

Wasawat Siphipob, an investigator at Sawang Arom Police Station in Uthai Thani province, received a report yesterday, July 15, at around 4.30pm of a fatal shooting at a house in Ban Nong Mon, Moo 21, Phai Khiao subdistrict, Sawang Arom district.

Upon receiving the report, police officers, including Krai Rueak Ketjit, Sawang Arom Police Station’s superintendent, and Songjak Prapassorn, Deputy Superintendent, along with the investigation team, forensic officers from Uthai Thani, a duty doctor from Sawang Arom Hospital, and Uthai Thani rescue volunteers, rushed to the scene.

The incident took place at a single-storey concrete house by the village road, where a crowd of villagers had gathered. At the front door, they found the lifeless body of the homeowner, 41 year old Roj lying on his back.

According to the victim’s relative, Roj was the nephew of their wife, named Banjong. The gunman was identified as 36 year old Krisana, the relative’s son and Roj’s cousin. The altercation began when Roj borrowed Krisana’s SIM card. Later, Krisana accused Roj of using the SIM card to secure a loan, which Roj denied. The argument escalated, prompting the relative to intervene and separate them.

After the initial confrontation, Roj returned to his home. Krisana also went back to his house while the relative retired to a room to rest. A short while later, the relative heard gunshots from Roj’s house and saw Krisana walking back, holding a gun. The relative rushed to Roj’s home and found him lying at the front door with blood oozing from his head.

In a state of shock, the relative called neighbours for help but Roj had already succumbed to his injuries. Krisana then hid the .38 calibre revolver used in the crime in his bedroom, with one spent shell casing still in the chamber, before fleeing on a motorbike.

Previously, Krisana had served as an assistant village headman. The relative had provided him with the registered revolver number อธ 6/179. However, Krisana resigned from his position after a district inspection found drugs in his body, reported KhaoSod.