Palm Plantation Owner Arrested for Shooting Suspected Palm Thief

On January 30, 2024, police officials from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, led by Deputy Police Commander Suthat Songsayom and Police Station Chief Pongpichan Chayanonpiruit, ordered an investigation team to capture the shooter in a palm oil plantation incident in Bang Rup Subdistrict, Thung Yai District. The incident occurred near dusk on January 29, 2024, when Surawut, 37, was shot and wounded. Surawut was taken to Thung Yai Hospital and was able to provide a statement to police. Police subsequently arrested Pratheep (nicknamed Daeng), 54, the palm plantation owner. They seized a .38 mm gun with 5 bullets and one bullet casing. Daeng was taken to the police station and confessed to all charges. According to the investigation, Surawut was seen suspicious in Daeng's plantation. Daeng and three others confronted Surawut, accusing him of stealing palm fruits. After an argument, Daeng shot Surawut once, with the bullet piercing his right side and passing through his arm. Preliminary findings suggest the shooting was motivated by repeated palm fruit thefts, which had angered the plantation owner. Police have documented the evidence and are proceeding with legal action.