Pattaya, Thailand – A senior investigator from Pattaya City Police Station was charged with murder after a 41-year-old man was shot dead in the Walking Street area early Sunday.
Crime scene and timing
According to police, the incident occurred at around 1:06 a.m. on Sunday, 19 April 2026, in the Walking Street zone of Pattaya, behind a cannabis shop at address 104/3. The area was known to be particularly busy at night.
Officers said the shooting followed a dispute linked to a drinking session involving several people. The 41-year-old victim died after being taken to hospital in the same night.
The accused officer
The suspect was publicly identified as Pol. Lt. Jirasak Srikatthanam (54), also known as “Major Joe”. He served as deputy superintendent in the investigation division of Pattaya City Police Station.
Colleagues described him as dutiful and stated he had completed a Police Sub-Lieutenant training course the previous year. Police said he was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Charges and detention
Pol. Col. Anak Sarathongyu, commander of Pattaya City Police Station, announced at around 9:00 a.m. that formal charges had been filed. The accusations included murder and multiple violations of the Firearms Act, among them carrying a weapon without authorization in a public place.
The suspect was arrested immediately and placed in a cell at the station. He was removed from government service the same day for the duration of the investigation.
Sequence of events under investigation
Based on the current investigative findings, the suspect was severely intoxicated and became involved in a verbal dispute within the group. The victim, who operated a nearby cannabis shop, was reportedly not part of the original argument.
Police said the man tried to calm the situation. Surveillance footage showed how the confrontation unfolded and ended with a fatal shot fired by the officer.
The victim was taken to a hospital during the night, where he died from his injuries. Investigators were continuing to review the exact sequence of events.
Forensic work and witnesses
Investigators were securing witness statements and forensic evidence from the scene. Surveillance recordings from the area had already been evaluated and were being treated as key evidence in the ongoing proceedings.
Pol. Col. Anak stressed that the circumstances were still under review, particularly the reasons for the rapid escalation. The suspect remained in custody pending further investigation.
Internal consequences and disciplinary action
In parallel with the criminal case, a disciplinary committee was set up to examine the officer’s misconduct. Dismissal from the service was possible once the internal review was completed.
Police in Pattaya reported internal reactions to what authorities described as a serious incident. Officials said the case affected the credibility of the institution and required full clarification.
Songkran context: alcohol and conflict density
The shooting occurred during the Songkran holidays, when alcohol consumption in nightlife and tourist areas was traditionally higher. Security agencies usually recorded more public conflicts during this period.
The investigation was ongoing, and the public was awaiting a complete account of the events from the responsible authorities.