A lieutenant colonel opened fire on his mother-in-law and wife in front of a fitness center in Buriram. The mother-in-law survived, but the wife died. After the incident, the suspect tried to flee but was caught and beaten by fitness instructors before being handed over to the police.,
On 17 Jun 2026 at 15:20, the Siam Ruamjai Pu In rescue unit received a report of a shooting behind Sar Ya Ma Market, Nang Rong Subdistrict, Nang Rong District, Buriram Province. They coordinated with Nang Rong Police Station and rushed to the scene.
At the scene in front of a two-story, two-unit fitness center, they found Ms. Triraya, or Bam, 37, from Nong Ki District, Buriram, lying in a pool of blood with a gunshot wound to her head. The rescue team initially found no pulse, performed CPR, and transported her to the hospital, where she later died.
Nearby, they found Mrs. Mantana, 58, mother of Triraya, also lying in blood with a gunshot wound to her right shoulder. The bullet missed vital areas. She was taken to Nang Rong Hospital and is currently in stable condition. The suspect, Lieutenant Colonel Theerapong, attempted to flee but was chased and restrained by two fitness instructors.
Ms. A, a witness, said she lived across the street and saw a man with a shaved head approach, grab the mother by the neck, and shoot her once, causing her to fall. Then he called out to his wife, “Bam, come here,” and shot her twice, causing both to collapse in blood.
Mr. Prachuap, 57, a contractor working on the fitness center, said he was working on the second floor when he heard an argument but paid it no attention. Then he heard three gunshots, peeked out, saw the fitness instructors chasing the gunman, and joined in. They managed to restrain the shooter, although he was injured in the leg. The motive remains unknown.
So far, the motive behind the police officer's actions is unclear. Sources said the couple had been separated for about three years and had two children, ages 9 and 5, but had not legally divorced. The wife had sought a divorce, but the husband refused.
The wife's family is well-established and respected in Nang Rong and Nong Ki districts. Police are investigating the facts, with initial indications pointing to jealousy as the possible motive.