An assailant ambushed and shot "Madam Pat" who died on a road 3 km from her home in Phatthalung. Authorities believe the assailant was well aware of her movements. Police are investigating and have not ruled out any motives.
At 04:00 hours on 9 January 2026, Police Lieutenant Colonel Wirot Prabpri, the duty officer of Pa Bon Police Station, along with the investigative team, arrived to examine a death on the road between Krorp and Khuan Khiam in Moo 2, Ban Khuan Ton Bok, Pa Bon Subdistrict, Pa Bon District, Phatthalung Province.
At the scene, authorities found the body of Ms. Patthama, also known as Madam Pat, Maneesuwan, age 39, a resident of Phatthalung. She had been shot with a 9mm pistol and was lying face down in a roadside ditch. On her back, officers found one 9mm bullet casing deliberately placed, and another casing was found about 2 meters away in the road ditch. Nearby lay the victim's blue-black Honda Wave 110i motorcycle, registered in Phatthalung, which had fallen over.
The body examination revealed gunshot wounds: one bullet penetrated from the left chest to the back, one passed through the waist from back to front, and a final shot was fired at close range to the head.
Preliminary investigation revealed the victim worked as a pork stall assistant at the Mae Khri Municipality Fresh Market. Around 02:00 hours before the incident, she called a colleague to wake up and prepare for their usual pork-selling routine. At about 03:10 hours, her employer and coworkers became concerned when she had not arrived at the stall. Fearing an accident, they went to check and found her shot dead approximately 3 km from her home. They immediately notified the authorities.
Authorities initially believe the assailant was well-informed about the victim's activities and ambushed her deliberately. Investigations also uncovered that Madam Pat had sold lottery tickets and operated multiple tiered savings groups. Around 2024, one group collapsed, leaving her in debt. Police suspect this may have motivated the attack, despite her efforts to repay debts by selling her pickup truck and local cattle. Authorities have not ruled out any motives and will continue to investigate close associates to track and prosecute the suspect.
