Rayong: A violent land dispute turned deadly in Rayong Province, as a 70-year-old man fatally shot his sister and seriously injured his brother-in-law over a contested inheritance, before setting fire to a vehicle. The suspect, Mr. Chawalit, was arrested and brought to Nikhom Phatthana Police Station for questioning amidst a tense atmosphere.
According to Thai News Agency, the victims' son, Mr. Pathomporn, confronted the suspect with the question, "Why did you shoot my parents?" He expressed his determination to pursue legal action to the fullest extent, suspecting that members of the perpetrator's family might have been complicit in the crime. Mr. Pathomporn's suspicions stem from the presence of the suspect's daughter at the scene, who fled instead of intervening.
Investigations revealed that after committing the crime, Mr. Chawalit attempted to evade capture by fleeing with a monk under the pretense of a religious engagement. However, he was apprehended in Na Di district, Prachinburi province. Initially, he misled authorities about the whereabouts of his weapon, which was later found hidden in his car. Police have charged him with planned murder, arson, and using a vehicle to escape, with further investigations ongoing regarding potential family involvement.
The incident, which occurred at a construction site in Nikhom Pattana District, was rooted in a family dispute over 24 rai of land. The conflict escalated when Mr. Chawalit sought to sell a portion of the land, while his sister Ms. Orawan, who had legal backing from the Supreme Court, opposed the division. On the morning of the tragedy, a scheduled land survey by the court led to a verbal confrontation, culminating in Mr. Chawalit shooting his sister and brother-in-law before setting their vehicle ablaze and fleeing the scene.