NAKHON SI THAMMARAT, THAILAND – A village chief in Phra Phrom district killed a man, attacked the local mayor and died shortly afterwards, according to police and eyewitnesses.
Authorities said the events appeared to stem from a long‑running personal conflict, while the exact motive and cause of death remained under investigation.
Tötungsdelikt im Tambon Na San
In the early hours of Monday, village chief Pornchai Siriwan, head of Moo 2, entered the home of Sampan Samchu, 54, in Na San tambon, Phra Phrom district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. Local police stated that Pornchai killed the man inside the house, and Sampan died of his injuries at the scene.
According to police, Pornchai was armed and had gone to the building with clear intent. Investigators secured the crime scene and questioned local residents later that morning.
Angriff auf den Bürgermeister von Na San
After the killing, Pornchai went to the residence of Na San mayor Payong Sa-nguantoi. The mayor was outside his house at the time but managed to reach safety before Pornchai opened fire, and he was not injured.
The mayor told police that Pornchai had been carrying a firearm which he said he had helped him purchase years earlier. One of the mayor’s vehicles at the scene was also set on fire during the incident.
Tod des Täters ungeklärter Ursache
Shortly after the attack on the mayor, Pornchai collapsed in front of the property. When Payong Sa-nguantoi returned home, he found the village chief lying dead next to one of his vehicles, and rescue workers were unable to resuscitate him.
The cause of Pornchai’s collapse was initially unclear. Witnesses confirmed the sequence of events to police, but said they could not provide any information on what led to his death.
Persönlicher Konflikt als Tatmotiv
Eyewitness Wirat Churasadon told police that Pornchai had repeatedly sought out arguments with Sampan.
“Pornchai regularly picked quarrels with Sampan and wrongly suspected him of having an affair with his wife,”
said Wirat Churasadon, eyewitness.
Wirat stressed that he believed the suspicion was unfounded. Police also confirmed they were examining whether a personal grievance held by the village chief against the mayor could have been another motive, but said they had no solid findings on the background at the time of reporting.
Obduktion und laufende Ermittlungen
Investigators ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of Pornchai Siriwan. The examination would also assess whether he had been under the influence of any substances at the time of the crime.
Police said the exact motive and the circumstances of the attacker’s death remained under active investigation. The Phra Phrom district police took charge of the case and continued to review additional witness statements.