Stray Bullet From Celebratory Gunfire Pierces Roof, Woman Survives
A stray bullet from celebratory gunfire pierced a roof in Udon Thani during Buddhist Lent celebrations, narrowly missing a 59-year-old woman; police
On the evening of October 27, 2026, as Udon Thani residents celebrated the end of Buddhist Lent with candlelight processions and fireworks, some revelers continued the dangerous tradition of firing guns into the air. In Nong Wua So district, a 9mm bullet tore through the roof of a home, narrowly missing 59-year-old Sri Da as she opened her bedroom door after showering. The bullet struck the ceiling just above her head and fell to the floor.
Sri Da said she had just stepped inside around 6:30 PM when she heard a loud thud on the roof. Initially thinking it was an electrical short, she soon found the bullet on the floor. Her son, visiting from Bangkok, confirmed it was a gunshot round. Shaken, she prayed to the Buddha and to Luang Pu Khamphaeng, the highly respected abbot of Wat Bunyanusorn in Nong Wua So, crediting their protection for her survival.
Her husband, the village headman, was manning a checkpoint at the time and rushed home after her call. Police from Nong Wua So Station inspected the scene, confirmed the bullet was 9mm, and have launched an investigation to trace the shooter. Sri Da believes the shot was celebratory rather than targeted, as her family has no enemies. She noted that despite official bans, celebratory gunfire persists every year during the festival. The family remains terrified, unable to sleep for fear of more falling bullets.
