A tragic shooting left two men dead—an ex-village headman and a resident of Ranot—due to local political conflict. Police arrested the shooter at the scene, identifying him as a candidate for the Ban Mai Subdistrict Administrative Organization Council in Ranot District, Songkhla Province.
On 20 December 2025 at 22:30 GMT+7, Pol. Col. Alamd Mekarat, superintendent of Ranot Police Station, received a report from Lt. Niratt Aongkaew of Ranot Police Station about a shooting incident resulting in two fatalities at a house in Village No. 5, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Ranot District, Songkhla Province. Upon receiving the report, he coordinated with the Songkhla Provincial Investigation Unit and Forensic Team 9 to promptly examine the scene.
At the scene in front of the house, two male victims were found dead. They were identified as Mr. Wichit Chaisalee, 51, a former village headman of Village No. 5, and Mr. Uthen Timkaew, 48, who was found dead near the house entrance. The suspect was identified as Mr. Thammarat Khunchu, 40, a candidate for Ban Mai Subdistrict Administrative Organization Council (candidate number 2). He was standing, waiting to surrender to police with the 9mm firearm used in the shooting. Authorities then took him into custody for further questioning at Ranot Police Station.
According to Mr. Kongdet Chantawong, also known as Kao, 33, and Mr. Sutthichai Petchrat, or Off, 25, assistant village heads, prior to the incident, the two victims had been drinking in front of the house. The suspect had arranged to discuss election matters with them, asking if they needed any assistance. The suspect and victims were relatives. A dispute arose between Mr. Uthen (victim) and Mr. Thammarat (suspect), during which Mr. Thammarat pointed his finger at Mr. Uthen. Mr. Uthen responded, “Don’t point your finger like that.” Both were somewhat intoxicated and tense; Mr. Thammarat had already been agitated before arriving. The argument escalated into a physical altercation.
During the scuffle, they separated. Mr. Thammarat fell to the side of the house and drew the gun he was carrying, firing seven shots into Mr. Uthen’s torso. Mr. Uthen collapsed in a pool of blood and died instantly. Meanwhile, the former village headman tried to run inside the house to shield and protect his daughter and lead her out. Mr. Thammarat followed inside and shot the head of the ex-headman twice, killing him as the second victim.
Regarding the motive, it was confirmed that there had been no prior enmity between them as they were close relatives. However, local political issues had become involved, leading to seeking support and dividing into factions. After the shooting, the suspect called the police and waited to surrender. He was then taken to Ranot Police Station for further interrogation.
Pol. Col. Alamd Mekarat, superintendent of Ranot Police Station, stated that the suspect was detained for further questioning and formal charges. Bail was denied during the investigation due to concerns the suspect, who holds some influence and is a candidate for Ban Mai Subdistrict Council, might harass the victims’ side. The initial charge is intentional homicide. The suspect refused to reenact the crime scene fearing retaliation from the victims’ relatives.
Reporters visited Hua Wang Temple in Ban Mai Subdistrict, Ranot District, Songkhla Province, where the victims’ relatives held religious rites for the two deceased. At 15:00 GMT+7, a water-pouring funeral ceremony was conducted, presided over by Ms. Natkan Sainoi, Ranot District Chief. The atmosphere was solemn and mournful.
At Ranot Police Station, the suspect’s relatives came to visit him. While in custody, the suspect suffered a severe headache caused by stress from the incident. He requested to see a doctor through the investigating officers. The Ranot police investigation unit escorted him to Ranot Hospital for about 30 minutes before returning him to the police station.