Nakhon Ratchasima shooting follows motorcycle theft accusation

At a community fair near Dan Khun Thot monument in Nakhon Ratchasima, a shooting and knife attack occurred, injuring six individuals around 10:30pm on August 12, according to police reports. The incident took place as vendors were winding down their stalls for the night. The attacker, identified as 32-year-old Nattakit, claimed to have fired a homemade gun equipped with pellet-dispersing rounds, while a companion wielded a knife during the confrontation.

Police allege the violence erupted after Nattakit was accused of attempting to steal a motorcycle at the event. After an initial exchange with the event organizer and the motorcycle's rightful owner, Nattakit fled and returned with armed companions, initiating the shooting. Among the injured were a man with a knife wound to his back, and others suffering gunshot wounds to the back, arm, and ankle.

Police investigation is ongoing, with officers interrogating suspects, witnesses, and the injured, as well as reviewing forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and potential escape routes. Two additional suspects at large are subjects of an ongoing search. The arrested Nattakit faces preliminary charges of jointly attempting to murder others using a firearm, with additional charges under consideration.

Separately, former Nonthaburi MP Chalong shot and killed Thongchai Yenprasert, chairman of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation, in Nonthaburi province on August 10. The dispute reportedly stemmed from an 11 million baht debt, and Chalong surrendered his firearm to police before being taken into custody.