Former Police Officer Shot Dead in Mango Orchard; Dispute Over Garden Access Suspected as Motive
A retired police sergeant major was found shot dead in a mango orchard in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, with investigators suspecting the killing stemmed from a dispute over garden access routes.
Former Police Officer Shot Dead in Mango Orchard; Dispute Over Garden Access Suspected as Motive. At 10:30 AM on May 11, Col. Pin Inmak, Lan Saka Police Station commander, received a report of a body in a mango orchard in Moo 12, Tambon Kamloan, Lan Saka District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. He rushed to the scene with Deputy Commander Pol. Capt. Athip Nakamani, hospital medical personnel, and rescue workers from Sawang Tham Kiri. The incident occurred on a mountainous terrain requiring a six-kilometer hike, and heavy rain throughout the day made the journey extremely difficult. Upon arrival, authorities found the deceased lying beneath a mango tree. The victim was identified as former Sergeant Major Surachet, 38 years old, with three to four gunshot wounds to the torso from a 9mm weapon. An M16 rifle was found next to the body, presumed to be his. Subsequently, Deputy Regional Commander Pol. Col. Natsavut Thongtip and provincial investigation teams arrived at the scene. Initial findings indicate the deceased was a former police officer who had worked in Thailand's southern border region but had retired and established an orchard at his residence in Lan Saka. He was the grandson of the subdistrict headman of Kamloan. Following his retirement, the victim remained isolated on the mountain, rarely descending to the village. Preliminary investigation suggests the motive stems from an agricultural dispute involving conflicting access routes to the orchard. Investigators are currently tracking down persons of interest who had conflicts with the victim for further questioning.
