Chanthaburi police have closed the case of shooting a police informant on Valentine's night by arresting “Mha To” and his nephew. They planned a trap to meet the victim, then ambushed and fatally shot him on the spot. They attempted to shoot the victim's wife to silence her, but a gun malfunction allowed her to escape.
On 20 Feb 2026 at approximately 15:30, Police Major General Phadungsak Raksasuk, Commander of Chanthaburi Provincial Police, and Police Colonel Akkhaphong Suntharawipat, Deputy Commander, led an investigative team to detain Mr. Chaowalit, known as “Mha To” Charoenmak, age 57. He was wanted under Chanthaburi Provincial Court warrant No. 38/2569 on charges of premeditated murder after surrendering himself at Tha Mai Police Station, Chanthaburi. He allegedly shot and killed Mr. Chaiwat Saisorn, age 30, near the alley behind the PTT gas station on Phaya Trang–Tha Mai Road, Tha Chang Subdistrict, Mueang Chanthaburi District on Valentine's night, 14 Feb 2026 at about 22:50.
In-depth investigation revealed the motive was personal revenge, as the victim, Mr. Chaiwat, was involved in drug activities and acted as a police informant. This angered Mr. Chaowalit (“Mha To”), who conspired with his nephew, Mr. Prasert, known as “Lek” Puengfang, age 48, to kill the victim by luring him into a trap. Initially, they provided drugs to gain his trust. On the day of the incident, Mr. Chaowalit lay in wait in a roadside thicket. Upon seeing the victim arrive on a motorcycle, he shot Mr. Chaiwat in the head once, killing him instantly. When the victim’s wife, present at the scene, tried to intervene, Mr. Chaowalit attempted to shoot her to silence her, but the gun jammed, allowing her to escape. Mr. Chaowalit then fled on a motorcycle driven by his nephew, Mr. Prasert, who was waiting nearby.
Subsequently, the investigative team from Mueang Chanthaburi Police Station and Chanthaburi Provincial Police traced the suspect using CCTV footage. This led to the arrest of Mr. Prasert earlier at his home in Takad Ngao Subdistrict, Tha Mai District. Mr. Prasert denied involvement, admitting only that he drove the motorcycle to aid Mr. Chaowalit's escape. Pressure from investigators eventually compelled Mr. Chaowalit, the shooter, to surrender, fearing a police encounter death.
After detaining Mr. Chaowalit at Mueang Chanthaburi Police Station, Police Major General Phadungsak Raksasuk said the suspect denied all charges during arrest and refused to comment but intended to testify in court with legal counsel. Initial charges include premeditated murder, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, carrying firearms in public, and reckless discharge of a firearm. He was remanded to Chanthaburi Provincial Court. Despite his denial, the evidence is strong enough to prosecute.
Mr. Chaowalit (“Mha To”) Charoenmak, 57, the suspect, has a history related to drugs and was previously prosecuted for a similar fatal shooting in the Mueang Chanthaburi area before being released. He currently faces drug charges and is out on bail pending trial but still collaborated with his nephew to commit this shooting.