Four individuals lost their lives and a young girl was critically injured when a man opened fire on a neighboring family and subsequently committed suicide.
The violent episode occurred at a residence within a local community on Soi Sukhaphiban 2/2 Road, located behind the Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm and Zoo in tambon Thai Ban, Muang district, around 9 pm on Monday.
In this unregistered home, Thongsee Niyompok, a 69-year-old woman, was killed by gunfire that struck her back, waist, shoulder, and chest. Her daughter, 43-year-old Rattanapak Niyompok, also succumbed to gunshot wounds in her armpit and abdomen.
Wassana Jaithiang, a 45-year-old man and Rattanapak’s former husband, was fatally shot in his chest, back, side, arm, and leg, and died instantly.
Their seven-year-old daughter was seriously injured with bullet wounds to her arms, chest, and back and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The shooter, 63-year-old Pisit Lamplee, sustained a fatal gunshot to his temple and died in the hospital. His son reported that his father shot himself after attacking the others.
At the crime scene, authorities recovered a 9mm pistol, two magazines, and 18 expended shells.
Security camera footage showed Pisit arriving at the location on his motorcycle, followed by the sound of several gunshots. Moments later, Pisit was seen shooting himself and collapsing.
The wounded girl recounted that Pisit had argued with her mother earlier. She had gone inside their home when she heard the gunshots.
She and her grandmother came outside to investigate the noise, at which point Pisit shot them before killing himself.
Thanin Lamplee, the 43-year-old son of the gunman, noted that the two families had been long-time neighbors and his father had recently had a disagreement with Rattanapak, although he was unsure of the details.
Neighbor Thanchanok Tanodthong, 51, mentioned that Rattanapak’s family was renting the house from the gunman and that Pisit and Rattanapak often socialized over drinks.
Deputy Commander of Samut Prakan Police, Pol Col Chutradul Yosmadee, explained that Rattanapak had recently borrowed 80,000 baht from Pisit and the subsequent dispute arose when she lent the money to others.
Authorities are considering financial issues or a romantic entanglement as potential motives for the incident.
