Phang Nga – A 72-year-old former village headman shot his 60-year-old ex-wife to death before crossing the road into a palm plantation where he used the same firearm to shoot himself. Monks fled in panic while preparing for a house blessing ceremony. Police are hastening their investigation into the cause.
On 20 September 2026 at 09:25, Police Colonel Weerayut Sitthiratnakul, Chief of Thap Put Police Station, along with Deputy Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Yospat Suwansit, Lieutenant Colonel Nattawut Phuangprang, patrol officers from Khok Charoen, Bang Hriang, and Thap Put, the investigation team, and administrative officials inspected a shooting incident inside a house in Village 7, Khok Charoen subdistrict, Thap Put district, Phang Nga province. At the scene, Ms. Praipai Panthong, 60, the homeowner, was found critically wounded by gunfire. Rescue workers rushed her to Thap Put Hospital, where she later died.
Initial investigations identified the perpetrator as Mr. Prachim Sawekij, 72, the ex-husband of Ms. Praipai. After the shooting, he left the house, crossed the road into a nearby oil palm plantation, and fatally shot himself with a .22 caliber pistol. The firearm believed to have been used was found near his body. The incident occurred while family members and relatives were preparing for a house blessing ceremony, and monks had just arrived when gunshots rang out. This caused panic among those present, and the monks withdrew from the area for safety.
Mr. Prachim, the deceased perpetrator, was a former village headman in Phanom district, Surat Thani province. Previously, he had been in a relationship and lived with Ms. Praipai, and they built the house where the incident occurred. Although they had separated, they maintained an on-and-off relationship several times. Police are currently gathering evidence and have coordinated with Phang Nga forensic officials to examine the scene, while doctors at Thap Put Hospital conducted the autopsies to proceed with legal measures.
Regarding the cause, on 19 September, the woman hosted a gathering at her home to prepare for the house blessing ceremony the next morning, with relatives and close acquaintances attending. Initial information indicates the ex-husband did not attend the event. On the morning of 20 September, as monks arrived and began to disembark for the ceremony, gunshots were fired inside the house, causing panic and prompting everyone to evacuate for safety. Investigations revealed that Mr. Prachim shot Ms. Praipai inside the house, seriously wounding her. He then left, crossed the road to a nearby palm plantation, and used the same firearm to kill himself. Authorities are investigating, preliminarily suspecting relationship problems and jealousy as motives. However, final conclusions await further investigation and evidence.