Murder-suicide suspected after family of 4 found dead in Songkhla

Police suspect a Thai woman of committing a murder-suicide involving her family members at her home in the southern province of Songkhla after four bodies with gunshot wounds were discovered yesterday, October 7.

Officers from Mueang Songkhla Police Station were called to investigate the fatal shooting at a two-storey house belonging to a former member of the Songkhla Municipality Council, Chaicharn Kwanseng. Chaicharn recently ran for the position of municipality secretary under the Palang Nakhon Songkhla Party in a recent election.

Police conducted their investigation inside the house and found four bodies. Chaicharn and his 16 year old son, Kanate Kwanseng, were discovered in the living room.

Chaicharn’s 18 year old daughter, Kotchawan Kwanseng, was found in her bedroom on the second floor, while Chaicharn’s 47 year old wife, Nattapaphat Kwanseng, was found in another bedroom.

According to the police report, all four victims had a single gunshot wound to the head. A pistol was found in the bedroom where Nattapaphat was lying dead, leading police to suspect her of committing the murder-suicide.

In addition to the gun, officers found burnt pieces of paper in Nattapaphat’s room. Police suspect that she may have attempted to die from smoke inhalation but, having failed, chose to use the gun instead.

The bodies were taken to a hospital for a thorough autopsy to determine whether there were any chemical substances or sleeping pills in their systems.

Police believe the perpetrator may have drugged the victims before shooting them. Thai Rath reported that Nattapaphat had visited her father’s home before the incident and asked for sleeping pills.

Neighbours stated they had not noticed any suspicious activity or heard any sounds of an assault or gunfire from the house.

However, police have not yet concluded the case, and the investigation into the cause of the deaths is ongoing. Officers suspect that the motive for the murders may have been an internal family conflict. Relatives will be summoned for questioning soon.