Contractor Reaches Breaking Point After Multiple Break-ins, Shoots Intruder in Self-Defense
A contractor shot and killed a burglar who broke into his vacant Udon Thani home with a machete on May 5, claiming self-defense after months of repeated thefts stripped the property of appliances and wiring.
At 10:30 AM on May 6, 2025, Police Captain Chairojn Theerawanwatth and his investigation team from Kumphawapi Police Station brought in 48-year-old Buunchay, accused of shooting a burglar to death who had broken into his residence. Buunchay confessed to the shooting, stating that at approximately 8:30 PM on May 5, a burglar attempted to break into his house in Wapi subdistrict, Phandone tambon, Kumphawapi district, Udon Thani province. When he noticed light inside and went to check, he discovered the intruder forcing open an aluminum door frame on the second floor. After shouting at the burglar, the intruder grabbed a machete and charged toward him with intent to harm. In self-defense, Buunchay fired one shot. The suspect, identified as Winai (Khiao), 50 years old, jumped from the second-floor balcony. Buunchay fired a second shot as the man fled into the nearby forest and collapsed near an abandoned resort about 100 meters away.
Paramedics from Phandone Subdistrict Municipality transported the injured man to Kumphawapi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The bullet had struck his right back, with the projectile lodged inside. After reporting the incident to police, Buunchay drove his orange Chevrolet pickup truck to take his children to another residence in Non Saoat district before his wife brought him to turn himself in to authorities.
Police Colonel Natthapong Chueethong, commander of Kumphawapi Police Station, led an investigation team to the scene. They seized a registered .32 caliber revolver with four rounds of ammunition found in the truck, plus two spent cartridges. At the crime scene, police recovered a 50-centimeter machete, a hammer, a tire iron, and a screwdriver belonging to the deceased burglar, as well as a pink women's bicycle hidden in nearby bushes that belonged to the victim.
The house showed signs of previous burglaries with extensive damage—electrical appliances, wiring, doors, windows, and frames had been pried open and stolen. Buunchay explained that he purchased the house over 10 years ago but had relocated to open a shop in Non Saoat district about a year ago. Despite advertising the property for sale, it remained vacant and had been repeatedly targeted by burglars who stole air conditioning units, washing machines, and other electrical equipment, even stripping electrical wiring and door frames. Buunchay said he had been randomly checking on the property to catch the burglar but never succeeded until this night.
"Last night I drove my pickup with my 10-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter to run errands in Kumphawapi town," Buunchay recounted. "On the way back, I noticed lights on inside the house, so I parked and told the children to wait in the truck. I carried my gun to check the house. When I climbed the stairs to the second floor, I saw a man forcing open the door frame. I shouted at him, and he shouted back in surprise. Then he grabbed a machete and charged at me, so I fired once in self-defense. The burglar dropped the blade and jumped from the second-floor balcony. I fired another shot as he fled."
