Shooting incident at the 'Chim Shop Chai' event in Dan Khun Thot, Nakhon Ratchasima. Police have arrested the suspect. Several people were injured. Authorities are urgently pursuing accomplices for prosecution.
At 10:30 p.m. on 12 August 2026, reports emerged of an assailant grabbing a shotgun and opening fire on people at the 'Chim Shop Chai' event in front of the Pho Khun Thot Monument, Dan Khun Thot district, Nakhon Ratchasima. Six people were injured. Police from Dan Khun Thot station intervened and later arrested the suspect.
The injured were transported by Huk 31 rescue unit, Dan Khun Thot branch, to Luang Pho Khun Parisuttho Hospital. Some seriously wounded patients were transferred to Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.
Mr. Prakob Patin, the event organizer, said the assailant used a knife to attack and a homemade shotgun firing buckshot pellets that spread widely. The shooting happened as the event was winding down and vendors were packing up, resulting in six injured, as follows:
1. Mr. Prakob Patin: injured by knife wounds to the back and fingers.
2. Mr. Suthon Pomklang: injured in right arm, shot in the back by buckshot.
3. Mr. Weerawut Maisuk: shot 13 times over body and arm, critically injured.
4. Mrs. Supawan Soda: shot twice in the leg and hit by shrapnel in the back.
5. Mrs. Panatda Pankerd: shot in the left arm.
6. Mr. Tae (surname unknown): shot nine times in the back.
After the incident, police led by Deputy Superintendent Arkom Chutkhuntod from Dan Khun Thot station arrested one suspect and are investigating, while forensic officers collected gunshot residue from the suspect.
Initial investigations revealed the suspect was caught stealing a parked motorcycle. The vehicle owner arrived and spoke with the suspect, who became upset. The owner and event organizers restrained him, but one suspect fled to fetch friends who returned armed with knives and guns, causing multiple injuries before fleeing. Police are actively pursuing the group for prosecution.
Police at Dan Khun Thot station detained suspect Natthakit, 32, and seized a homemade pistol. Investigators are tracking accomplices still at large and are expediting inquiries into the violent incident.
As of 13 August 2026, police are interviewing the suspect, injured victims, and witnesses, examining forensic evidence and escape routes to apprehend remaining suspects and thoroughly investigate the incident's causes and sequence.
During interrogation, Natthakit admitted to firing the weapon. The motive stemmed from a dispute with the 'Chim Shop Chai' organizers after being accused of motorcycle theft, and he acted to aid a friend who was being detained.
Currently, police have charged the suspect with attempted murder using a firearm, with other charges under consideration based on evidence. The investigation is supervised by Superintendent Phatthanakorn Sungnarat of Dan Khun Thot police.
Among the injured taken to Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, one remains in a coma, one has stabilized, and another is awaiting surgery scheduled for this morning. The investigator plans to interview them today.