Disabled Man Shoots Som Tam Vendor, Customer in Ratchaburi
A disabled man with a prosthetic leg opened fire at a som tam shop in Ban Pong, Ratchaburi, shooting the female owner and a customer after a decade-long feud. The 36-year-old suspect emptied his 14-round magazine and was arrested by police. The vendor is in critical condition, and the suspect faces charges including attempted murder and illegal firearms possession.
Police reported progress on November 13 in the shooting at a som tam restaurant in Ban Pong municipality, Ratchaburi province. The incident occurred around midnight on November 12, leaving two people injured: the 35-year-old female shop owner, identified as Aratai, who is in critical condition, and a male customer. The suspect, 36-year-old Chawalit, a left-leg amputee who uses a prosthetic, was apprehended by Ban Pong police.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Palapon Suriyakul na Ayutthaya, Ratchaburi Provincial Police Commander, and Pol. Lt. Col. Nakornthorn Sukonthawit, Deputy Commander of Provincial Police Region 7, inspected the case progress. Pol. Lt. Col. Kobchok Lektrakool, Ban Pong Police Superintendent, briefed them on the investigation.
During questioning, Chawalit admitted he operated a grilled fish shop next to the som tam stall. He claimed that before the shooting, Aratai, whom he described as a "tom" (masculine-presenting lesbian), gave him a dirty look and made a rude gesture, causing him to lose control. He said they had clashed repeatedly for over 10 years, starting when his brother's friend argued with Aratai at the shop. After the latest provocation, he went home, retrieved a handgun purchased from an acquaintance long ago, and chased Aratai while firing all 14 rounds. He expressed regret but said he could not control his anger.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Palapon said police will conduct detailed questioning before sending the suspect to Ratchaburi Provincial Court on November 14. Investigators will oppose bail and search both the suspect's and victim's homes. The shop owner has been transferred to a hospital in Nakhon Pathom. Authorities plan mediation to prevent further retaliation since the two shops are adjacent.
The suspect faces four charges: attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm in a public place, and affray.
At the scene, reporters found 14 bullet casing markers and four bullet heads. The suspect's grilled fish shop was closed, while friends, family, and staff of the injured vendor gathered outside the som tam shop, which was also closed for the day.
Nung, 40, the shop owner and close friend of Aratai, said only one table of customers remained as they were preparing to close. Aratai was sitting on a motorcycle waiting to take Nung to her parked car when Chawalit opened fire. Artai tried to flee but fell beside another shop, where Chawalit continued shooting. A stray bullet also hit the last customer in the left arm. Nung said she did not know the exact cause of the long-standing conflict, only that Chawalit would sometimes come to curse at Aratai.
