A hunter aiming at a wild boar accidentally shot his neighbor dead deep in a Chiang Mai forest. Authorities struggled to retrieve the victim's body from the remote area.
On 25 Jun 2026, reports stated that at 20:30 on 24 Jun, the Phrao Wang Hin Rescue Center in Phrao District, Chiang Mai, was contacted by the Mae Pang Subdistrict Headmen Club requesting support with personnel and equipment to help recover a body from a deep forest after a fatal shotgun shooting. The incident occurred in Huai Pang Noi, Ban Pa Miang Khun Pang, Village No. 7, Mae Pang Subdistrict, Phrao District, Chiang Mai.
The deceased was identified as Mr. Banterng, 56, a resident of Village No. 6, Mae Pang Subdistrict, Phrao District, Chiang Mai.
Initial inquiries revealed that Mr. Insan, 65, had entered the forest on 22 Jun 2026 to wait for wild boars that often came to feed on wild fruits in the area. He had built a tree platform within the deep forest as a hideout.
On the afternoon of 24 Jun, the deceased, Mr. Banterng, entered the forest heading to the same area, unaware that Mr. Insan was already hiding there. As Banterng walked through tall grass near the scene, the bushes shook. Mistaking the movement for a wild boar, Mr. Insan fired one shotgun round, hitting Banterng on the right side of his face, causing him to collapse immediately and fall silent.
When Mr. Insan descended from his platform to check, he discovered that the victim was not a wild animal but his neighbor. He then quickly left the forest to notify relatives and community leaders before coordinating with police and relevant authorities to investigate.
Following the report, the investigating officer from Long Khod Police Station, the on-duty doctor, rescue personnel from Phrao Wang Hin and Mae Pang municipality, Mr. Chatree Supatip, headman of Mae Pang Subdistrict, along with local officials and villagers, trekked into the mountainous, rugged forest area to reach the scene.
The incident site is approximately 10 kilometers from the village, with another 12 kilometers of uphill walking required. The operation was arduous throughout the night, with officers and villagers jointly carrying the body through dense forest and high mountains, taking over 11 hours and 30 minutes.
They finally reached the vehicle access point at 07:00 on 25 Jun 2026, then handed the body over to the investigators and medical personnel to proceed with legal formalities.