The investigative teams from Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police and Dan Khun Thot Police Station have identified the gunman who shot a well-known Korat musician in the mouth, as well as his accomplices. The case centers on a dispute over music performances. The victim's wife revealed that he had told her about conflicts with other musicians, including previous arguments. She said one individual was responsible for reducing her husband's music playing days from twice a week to once a week.
On 18 Jan 2026, reporters updated on the case of a gunman shooting Mr. Pichet, also known as Noom Chaeng Khun Thot, age 47, a musician and leader of the “Raikaj Band,” on Dan Khun Thot-Theparak Road near the Nong Pluang village intersection, Panchana Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. He was shot while returning home after performing at a restaurant in Dan Khun Thot. The body was discovered at 04:47 on 18 Jan 2026.
At Don Wua Temple, Panchana Subdistrict, Dan Khun Thot District, Mrs. Nucharee Bon Khun Thot, 37, wife of the deceased Mr. Pichet, along with relatives, prepared the funeral rites. The family awaited the return of Mr. Pichet’s body, which had been sent for autopsy at the Forensic Medicine Department of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.
Mrs. Nucharee Bon Khun Thot, the victim’s wife, said her husband had never had disputes with anyone except for conflicts with fellow musicians, which he had previously told her about. She explained that one individual had caused her husband’s music playing days to be reduced from two days a week to only one. She said she had already provided all this information to the police. Just before he was killed, around 1 a.m. on 18 Jan, he called their son saying he had another dispute with a music group and asked the son to find a gun for self-defense. After finishing his performance, he was killed about 6 kilometers from home. She is certain the motive is related to this dispute.
On the morning of 18 Jan, investigators from Dan Khun Thot Police Station summoned 10 witnesses, including musician friends and suspects, for questioning. They also sent a team to search the home of another suspect believed to be the shooter, located in a nearby village in Panchana Subdistrict. However, the suspect had already fled.
Later that afternoon, Pol. Maj. Gen. Narongsak Promtha, Commander of Nakhon Ratchasima Provincial Police, dispatched the provincial investigation unit to work alongside Dan Khun Thot Police’s investigative team. They divided responsibilities to accelerate the arrest of the gunman and accomplices to bring them to justice quickly. Police have identified the gunman and his accomplices, confirming the motive as a dispute over music performances.
Reporters at the crime scene saw Mrs. Nucharee Bon Khun Thot, the victim’s wife, and relatives, along with Mr. Wichai Chukiat, also known as Phong, a friend of Mr. Pichet, lighting incense in front of the victim’s pickup truck to invite the spirit of Noom, who was shot dead, back home. While lighting incense, Mr. Wichai suddenly fell backward and experienced convulsions as if possessed by a spirit, saying, “You killed me,” “He killed me,” and crying. Relatives asked who killed him and urged him to reveal the name. After a while, Mr. Wichai gradually calmed down.