The factory owner in Samut Sakhon shot and killed one burglar, claiming the suspect charged at him wielding a metal pipe, prompting him to shoot in self-defense. The bullet pierced the suspect's heart. He then waited to surrender to police, noting that thefts had occurred repeatedly at his property.
At around 10:00 a.m. on 23 Oct 2026, Lt. Col. Thiwatphon Tawichsangsak, deputy investigating officer of Krathum Baen Police Station, was notified of a theft at an abandoned factory in Village No. 4, Suan Luang subdistrict, Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon. At the scene, one person was found shot dead. The officer reported to his superiors and proceeded to the site accompanied by Pol. Maj. Gen. Theeradej Athipakkul, commander of Samut Sakhon Provincial Police, Pol. Col. Phasaphong Monta, chief of Krathum Baen Police Station, and other senior officers, forensic police, doctors from Krathum Baen Hospital, and rescue volunteers from Samut Sakhon Foundation.
The scene was a warehouse-style building with an open structure and high roof, containing numerous large industrial machines used in metal production, many appearing quite old. There were steel shelves, equipment parts, cut metal pipes scattered on the ground, and various other items.
The deceased was a tall, large-built man around his early 40s, identity unknown. No identification was found on him. Preliminary autopsy revealed a .38 revolver bullet pierced under his left nipple, hitting the heart and lodging inside.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Por, age 72, the property owner, did not flee but waited to surrender to police. He initially stated that before the incident, he was about to leave for work when his wife called to report that thieves had again been seen stealing from the factory. He had built the factory about 4–5 years ago with legal permits, intending to produce metal goods, but due to the poor economy, operations never started. He only stored old but usable machinery. His children planned to convert the site for online product sales after finishing their studies. However, the site was often targeted by thieves stealing machine circuits or copper for resale or melting.
About 4–5 months ago, police arrested around three thieves, which temporarily stopped incidents. Recently, thefts resumed, and neighbors kept him informed. On the day of the incident, upon learning of another theft, he turned back home, took his firearm, and returned with his wife and daughter. At the factory, he instructed his family to wait outside while he entered alone. Inside, he heard sounds of thieves cutting something behind the building. One thief charged at him with a metal pipe, so he fired one shot in self-defense without knowing where exactly the bullet hit. The other approximately three accomplices fled through the back upon hearing the gunshot.
Initially, police took Mr. Por and his family for further questioning at Krathum Baen Police Station before formally charging him according to the law. Authorities are also tracking the other suspects involved in the theft, based on the factory owner's statements.
A neighbor said he had known Mr. Por for many years, describing him as calm and polite with no conflicts. Mr. Por gradually expanded the factory over several years, but due to economic difficulties, never commenced operations. The abandoned factory was frequently broken into by individuals, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups, as witnessed multiple times. The neighbor confirmed the deceased was definitely not a local resident.