Pen gun blunder: Thai man’s bathroom mishap writes tragic end
A Thai man accidentally shot himself dead on December 3 with a pen gun while using the bathroom at a stranger’s house in the Isaan province of Roi Et.
Officers from Suwannaphum Police Station and medical workers were called to the house in the Ban Nong Jarn Community in Suwannaphum district to investigate the death of the 45 year old man, identified as Chuchart.
Upon investigation, officers found Chuchart lying in a pool of blood outside the bathroom. He sustained a gunshot wound to his stomach and the pen gun was found inside the bathroom.
The homeowner, 59 year old Boontham, told Amarin TV that he did not know Chuchart personally. Chuchart arrived at his house on a motorcycle and asked to use the bathroom. Boontham recognised him as a resident of the same community and allowed him to enter.
Shortly afterwards, within five minutes, Boontham heard a gunshot and a cry for help. Rushing to check on Chuchart, he found him outside the bathroom.
The toilet was covered in blood, but initially, Boontham did not realise there was a shooting.
Boontham said he asked Chuchart what had happened but the man was unable to respond due to the severity of his injury. Boontham called a neighbour for assistance but by the time he returned, Chuchart succumbed to his injuries.
Police suspect that Chuchart habitually carried the pen gun in his trouser pocket. It is believed that while removing his trousers, he accidentally triggered the gun, resulting in the fatal injury.
Chuchart’s body has been sent for an autopsy to confirm the officers’ assumption before the case is closed.
In a similar incident involving a pen gun last month, a 19 year old man in Pathum Thani province near Bangkok accidentally shot himself at a convenience store. Another man who was with him was also injured in the waist.
A similar case was reported last year in the southern province of Phetchaburi. A Thai security guard accidentally dropped his pen gun, causing it to discharge. He was fatally shot and pronounced dead at the scene.
