A site foreman grabbed a gun and slapped his subordinate’s face; the gun discharged, hitting the cheek fatally. He claimed he only intended to slap as discipline. He revealed being extremely stressed and wants to apologize to the victim’s family.
On 5 Feb 2026, reports stated that at a construction site for a riverbank dam at Pak Huay Wang Nong in Ubon Ratchathani Municipality, Mr. Prayad, 40, a truck driver, was shot with a .38 caliber gun in the left cheek and died on the spot at 15:17 on 4 Feb.
The perpetrator was Mr. Chanthit, 57, the site foreman, who fled after the incident. The victim’s son and daughter, returning from school, found their father’s body and wept inconsolably, unable to believe Prayad had been shot. Rescue workers comforted them closely.
According to Mr. Wichit, the victim’s father-in-law, both men had argued earlier that afternoon because Chanthit came to the site but could not find or contact Prayad, who had taken steel bars to another work location. When Prayad returned, Chanthit reprimanded him, leading to a confrontation. Wichit intervened, and Chanthit left by car. Two hours later, Chanthit returned with a firearm and a challenge ensued. When Prayad ran toward him, Chanthit struck him with the gun, which fired, fatally hitting Prayad’s cheek.
Later, Chanthit contacted police to surrender along with the firearm. He confessed that he acted in a fit of rage and only intended to slap Prayad as discipline, but the gun discharged accidentally. Police at Ubon Ratchathani City Station charged him with intentional murder and possessing and carrying an unlicensed firearm.
As of today (5 Feb 2026), authorities continue to hold the suspect in custody and have not yet conducted further questioning, awaiting his lawyer due to the severity of the charges. Police conducted a crime scene reenactment and photographic evidence yesterday evening based on his confession. He is scheduled for detention hearing tomorrow (6 Feb 2026).
Preliminary inquiry with arresting officers revealed the suspect is stressed and anxious, wishing to communicate with the victim’s family and express willingness to provide compensation and restitution.