Local Election in Korat Turns Violent: Village Council Member Shot Dead Near Water Tank

A violent incident occurred on February 18, 2024, at 1:15 PM when an unidentified assailant shot and killed Sunet Phakdee, a 69-year-old Village Administrative Organization (VAO) member from Dan Chang Subdistrict in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The victim was found dead near a village water tank, with a gunshot wound to the right temple. Police discovered a .38 caliber weapon near the body and the victim's green Isuzu pickup truck parked nearby. According to local witnesses, gunshots were heard around 10:00 AM in the water tank area. The victim's wife suggested the murder was likely related to local political tensions, noting that her husband had recently been re-elected as a VAO member after facing previous complaints about water bill collection. The victim's son expressed shock at the murder, emphasizing his father's long history of public service and questioning why someone would resort to killing over a low-paying council position. Local police are investigating the incident, reviewing CCTV footage, and seeking witnesses to solve the case.