Trang manhunt after fatal shooting over family dispute

A tragic shooting incident occurred in Trang, resulting in the death of a 56 year old Thai man. The man was allegedly shot over a perceived insult to the perpetrator’s dignity. Police launched a manhunt for the suspect.

Police officers, led by Deputy Inspector Vechan Hiranyasuwan from Mueang Trang Police Station, were alerted to a shooting at house number 21/5 in Moo 5, Baan Dan, Nam Phud subdistrict, Mueang district, Trang province. The incident took place along the Nam Phud-Sai Duea Road.

Upon arrival, officers found the body of Narong Sai-on lying face down in a pool of blood. Narong, a resident of Pak Phanang East subdistrict, Nakhon Si Thammarat, had been shot multiple times with a shotgun. The shots hit his back, nape, and right waist, causing several wounds from the shotgun pellets. Bullet holes and fragments were also found on the nearby wall.

Police investigators discovered two white shotgun shell casings near the body. The police have retained these as evidence. The suspect was identified as Boontham Thongrak, the brother of Narong’s wife who resides at house number 21 in the same village.

Narong’s 54 year old wife was present at the scene. She recounted that her brother, Boontham, approached the house with a shotgun, ordering her to bring her husband to his house. When she inquired why, Boontham immediately shot Narong twice. A confirmed that her brother never approved of her new husband but never explicitly forbade their relationship.

A neighbour, who has familial ties with the involved parties, stated that upon returning from an aerobic session, she heard two gunshots from the house. She then saw Boontham walking away with the shotgun. Initially, she did not realise he was the gunman until she checked the house and found Narong dead.

Brother’s disapproval

Preliminary investigations revealed that Narong’s wife had recently moved in with the deceased from Pak Phanang. They had been living in the house for just two days. Boontham had previously warned Narong’s wife that if she continued her relationship with Narong, they should live elsewhere, not in the family home. The woman’s former husband still resided in the house until Narong moved in, which might have triggered Boontham’s violent reaction.

On the day of the incident, Boontham reportedly loaded his shotgun with five rounds and shot Narong twice before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle. It is believed that he might be hiding in the dense forested mountains nearby.

The police have intensified their search efforts, deploying teams to comb the area and reviewing CCTV footage along possible escape routes. They are also working to gather sufficient evidence to obtain a court-issued arrest warrant.

Meanwhile, Narong’s relatives are preparing to conduct his funeral rites in Pak Phanang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, reported KhaoSod.