Thai boxing camp owner executed at religious festival in Buriram

A shocking execution-style murder in the early hours of yesterday morning has left the Thai boxing community in mourning. The 56 year old, owner of a boxing camp, known as Sia Dam, was brutally shot in the head and neck by an unidentified gunman, resulting in his immediate death.

The incident, which took place around 4am yesterday, April 22, unfolded in the presence of his son at a religious celebration in Buriram province.

The tragedy struck just as the celebrations at Nong Teng Temple in Nong Teng subdistrict, were concluding. Sia, a respected figure from Chokna Sam Subdistrict, Prasat District, Surin Province had brought two of his boxers to compete at the event, which also included an honorary ceremony for the abbot.

The assailant, who remains at large, used a grey Hyundai van with a Cambodian license plate as the scene for the cold-blooded killing.

Sia’s son, whose identity has been protected, recounted the harrowing moments that led to his father’s murder. After the boxing matches, they were heading to the van to rest. As his father opened the door and leaned on the seat, a man in a long-sleeved green shirt and a hat suddenly appeared and shot Sia point-blank, right before his eyes. The son, in shock, was left frozen as chaos ensued around them.

The victim’s wife, 46 year old Nittaya is devastated by the loss of her husband, who she insists had no known enemies. Sia was a simple businessman, selling bottled water and managing a public restroom in Chong Chom market. The van in which he was killed was loaned to him by a friend as collateral.

The Provincial Police Region 3 Chief, Major General Ruthaphon Naowarat revealed that despite no apparent disputes on the night of the murder, no leads will be disregarded, including those related to the boxing circles.

A team of police investigators from various units, including the Provincial Police Region 3, Buriram Provincial Police, and Krasang Police Station, are intensively gathering evidence and collaborating with Surin province officers to unravel the case, reported Khaosod.