A drug-affected man fired shots in the middle of a community in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, killing one resident and injuring another. Four vehicles were damaged.
On 26 Apr 2026 GMT+7, police received a report of a man in a drug-induced frenzy shooting at residents and passing vehicles indiscriminately. Rescue teams were urgently dispatched to inspect the scene along the Phaya Muang Canal Road, Village 6, Phaya Ban Lue Subdistrict, Lat Bua Luang District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province.
At the scene, a white sedan registered in Bangkok was found with a bullet hole in the driver's side door. The bullet penetrated the body of the female driver, identified as Ms. Papatsara Ruangrit, 44, who was critically injured and taken to Phaya Ban Lue Hospital but reportedly died later. Her uncle and two children were unharmed.
The suspect, Mr. Sarawut, 35, was immediately apprehended along with his black Kawasaki Ninja big bike motorcycle, registered in Bangkok, and three methamphetamine tablets as evidence.
Upon background checks, he was found to have a prior drug-related record. During interrogation, he was incoherent due to wounds on his body. Authorities transported him to Lat Bua Luang Hospital for treatment and drug testing.
Mr. Phuwanai, 39, showed the damage to his car’s windshield caused by a bullet. He said he was driving down a bridge when he saw the suspect standing in the middle of the road aiming a gun, seemingly targeting a ten-wheeler truck. A bullet struck his windshield, and he fled immediately without looking back.
Mr. Thanathat, 49, a witness, recounted that while inside his home he heard over 10 gunshots. When he looked outside, he saw the suspect holding a gun on the roadside aiming at him. He quickly ran back inside, shouting warnings to passing cars not to proceed further.
However, the mentioned sedan drove into the yard where the suspect stood on the roadside and then fired into the house. The witness shouted not to shoot as there were children inside, but the suspect ignored the plea and fired one shot. After the gunfire ceased, the witness found the female driver severely wounded under her right breast and upper arm, barely breathing. The driver’s uncle was shocked, and the two children in the back seat were crying in fright. Emergency services were called, but the woman could not be saved.
Mr. Seri, 40, owner of a local gas station, said he was inside his shop when he heard more than 10 shots. He saw the ten-wheeler driver fleeing from the shooting site to hide near his shop. Concerned for bystanders, he quickly closed the door. Later, he learned that a passing resident had been shot and injured.
Mr. Uthai, 46, stated he was driving to pick up soil in Sena District when he reached the incident area. He saw the suspect riding a motorcycle, speeding past on the left, then losing control and flipping multiple times. The suspect then got up and fired multiple shots—five rounds—at his vehicle's front.
The suspect then lost balance and fell. Mr. Uthai took cover and warned other vehicles to avoid the area as the suspect continued shooting at passing cars and even at residents’ homes. Initially, four vehicles were reported damaged: two sedans and one pickup truck.