Brazen act! Village headman Kueng, armed with two guns, stormed in and fatally shot a resident in bed. He then rode a motorcycle 14 km to chase and shoot at Mayor Yui, the mayor of Nasarn Subdistrict, at his home. The mayor ran from the gunfire and narrowly escaped death. The village headman then ran to set fire to the mayor’s 10-wheel truck before being found dead at the truck garage. Police from Phra Phrom Police Station are currently investigating.
At 07:00 on 2 March 2026, police from Phra Phrom Police Station in Nakhon Si Thammarat received a report of a shooting at house number 140/2, Village No. 3, Nasarn Subdistrict, Phra Phrom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. The residence belongs to Mr. Payong Sanguanthoi, known as "Mayor Yui," 55, mayor of Nasarn Subdistrict.
At the scene, one person was found dead. Police led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Pornchai Khajornklin, Deputy Commander of Region 8 and Acting Commander of Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Police, along with patrol and investigation teams from Phra Phrom Police Station and personnel from Tai Tek Tien Foundation, rushed to the location.
Upon arrival, the deceased was identified as Mr. Pornchai or Village Headman Kueng Siriwan, 55, village headman of Village No. 2, Nasarn Subdistrict. His body was found lying dead in the 10-wheel truck garage, lying atop one long gun and one 11 mm pistol. Nearby were a one-gallon gasoline container and the victim’s motorcycle. The truck showed minor damage on one side. The exact gunshot wounds were unknown pending a forensic examination by the attending doctor at Phra Phrom Hospital and police forensic officers. Approximately 50 meters from Mayor Payong’s house, an 11 mm cartridge casing was found and collected as evidence.
Mayor Payong Sanguanthoi sustained abrasions on his right arm from falling while fleeing. He reported that before the incident, he had returned from jogging and was sitting alone drinking coffee behind his house. Suddenly, Village Headman Pornchai arrived on a motorcycle, parking about 5 meters away. Mayor Payong noticed a long gun and sensed danger, so he quickly stood and ran. Village Headman Pornchai fired one shot with a pistol he carried, but missed. The mayor tried to escape but fell near the house. The village headman chased him but also fell. The mayor then fled to the front of the house near the road, borrowed a neighbor’s motorcycle, and quickly escaped. Village Headman Pornchai fired two more shots but missed.
It was then reported that Village Headman Pornchai returned to his motorcycle behind the house and rode into the truck garage. He fired two more pistol shots but hit no one. He then parked the motorcycle in the garage, poured gasoline from the container, and set fire to his truck. The fire blazed. Shortly after, a single gunshot was heard. Village Headman Pornchai was found dead beside a pillar in the garage. It remains unknown who shot him. Police and related officials are conducting a detailed investigation and autopsy. The mayor insisted he did not return fire, as he was only fleeing and believed he would not survive.
Regarding the motive, the mayor said he was unaware but suspected personal grudges related to certain issues. He plans to provide detailed testimony to police. Village Headman Pornchai, the suspect, was once the mayor’s close subordinate. Recently, he reportedly got involved with drug use, causing estrangement and displeasure from the mayor. This may have led to resentment, prompting him to carry two guns and attack as described.
Prior to the attack on Mayor Payong (Mayor Yui), Village Headman Pornchai reportedly used the same gun to fatally shoot Mr. Sampan Somchu, 54, a resident living about 50 meters away, while he was sleeping at his home at house number 118, Village No. 2, Nasarn Subdistrict, Phra Phrom District, Nakhon Si Thammarat. This location is about 41 km from Mayor Payong’s home. After shooting Mr. Sampan, Pornchai kicked in the door, then fled on a black Yamaha motorcycle to Mayor Yui’s house and pursued him with gunfire. Fortunately, the mayor was not hit, sustaining only minor abrasions from a fall.
Relatives of Mr. Sampan, the first shooting victim, revealed that Village Headman Pornchai was addicted to drugs and suspected Mr. Sampan, a neighboring friend, of secretly having an affair with his spouse, which led him to shoot Mr. Sampan dead.
The true motive behind the incidents remains under investigation by police from Phra Phrom Police Station, provincial investigation units, and Region 8 investigative authorities.