On November 25, 2023, in Wang Nam Khieo district, Thailand, Chaturong Suksuk, a 29-year-old former soldier and Paralympic athlete, shot and killed four people, including his bride, Kanchana Pachunthuek, before turning the gun on himself.
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Chaturong and Kanchana had been living together as a couple for three years before deciding to formalize their relationship through marriage.
The wedding ceremony took place on the morning of November 25, followed by a festive celebration later in the evening.
However, as reports suggest, the atmosphere took a turn when guests noticed that the groom appeared unhappy during the party.
Around 11:25 PM, Chaturong left the celebration only to return with a 9mm pistol. What followed was a shooting rampage that claimed the lives of his bride, her 62-year-old mother, and 38-year-old sister, as well as another guest.
One additional guest suffered serious injuries in the attack. Chaturong then turned the gun on himself, ending his own life on the spot.
The motive behind this act remains unclear with police stating that Chaturong was intoxicated at the time.
However, witnesses at the party reported that the couple had an argument that arose Chaturong’s insecurities, particularly regarding the 15-year age gap between him and Kanchana.
It was suggested that he feared his wife would leave him due to his disability, as he had lost his right leg in an accident.
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Chaturong Suksuk a Paralympian had represented Thailand in both swimming and shooting at the Paralympic Games.
Despite facing physical challenges, he won a silver medal in swimming at the 11th Asian Para Games held in Indonesia in 2022. His achievements on the athletic stage were great.
The incident has discussions about gun violence in Thailand, where guns are readily available both legally and illegally.
Chaturong had legally purchased the gun and ammunition used in the shooting just last year, concerns about the accessibility of firearms.
This comes in recent shootings in the Thailand capital, prompting the interior minister to sign an order suspending the issuance of gun licenses for a year.
The community in Wang Nam Khieo district is struggling with the aftermath of this act of violence. The loss of multiple lives, especially at a moment meant for celebration, has left residents shocked.
The impact of such a incidents on the mental health of those who witnessed directly affected by the shooting is immeasurable.
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Chaturong’s disability resulting from an incident during his service as a paramilitary ranger. While speculations suggest that his insecurities about the age gap may have contributed to the incident.
The Wang Nam Khieo police are investigating the incident collecting evidence to understand the sequence of events leading up to the shooting.
The recovery of 11 spent cartridges of 9mm ammunition from the scene indicates the situation of the rampage.
However, the motive remains a subject of ongoing investigation, and authorities are working to piece together the details surrounding this incident.
The 11 spent cartridges of 9mm ammunition recovered from the crime scene is as a reminder of the violence that unfolded that night.
While mass shootings are rare in Thailand the country has struggled with incidents of gun violence. Last month a shooting in a luxury mall in Bangkok claimed three lives, and in October of the previous year, a former policeman killed 37 children in a gun and knife attack at a nursery in north-east Thailand.
The shooting occurred just days after Thailand Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul signed an order to suspend the issuance of gun licenses for a year. The order aimed to address the rising tide of gun violence in the country.
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