Deadly Homemade Gun Dispute Exposes Rural Arms Surge in Chachoengsao

On the evening of November 29, 2024, two teenagers were killed in a shooting in rural Phanom Sarakham District after a dispute over a homemade firearm. By midnight, investigators had determined the incident stemmed from an argument over the weapon, prompting renewed calls by local leaders to curb illicit arms in the area.

Night Shooting in Phanom Sarakham

Villagers near a small Buddhist monastery heard raised voices followed by at least ten gunshots. Eyewitnesses discovered 19-year-old Konnawat Wongsiri and 17-year-old Tantikorn Muangjai on an unpaved road, each struck multiple times by 9 mm bullets. Medics arrived quickly but could not save them. Forensic teams later secured the scene and began collecting evidence.

Evidence from the Scene

Investigators recovered a cluster of spent casings scattered across the gravel and dusted them for fingerprints. Nearby shop surveillance footage captured a black-and-yellow Honda Wave idling for a few seconds before speeding away. Those images guided officers toward two suspects and helped reconstruct their escape on motorcycles.

Suspects in Custody

Phanom Sarakham Police detained two classmates within hours: 18-year-old Jirawat “Boeing” and 17-year-old Phanuphath. Under questioning, the younger teen confessed to firing the shots, saying the dispute began over an incomplete payment for a homemade pistol. Police say the argument escalated into violence when the weapon was turned against one of the buyers.

Signs of Rising Rural Firearm Risks

While Bangkok often dominates news coverage, this case reflects a broader increase in homemade weapons in outlying provinces. Local commanders report seizing over 200 improvised firearms in Chachoengsao since January, as cottage workshops and smuggling contribute to a growing number of weapons in rural areas. Nationwide operations such as Operation Zero Gun and other sweeps have confiscated thousands of illegal firearms and ammunition but have not fully halted the flow from urban to rural communities.

Local Response and Enforcement

In response to rising youth violence, provincial authorities increased patrols and enhanced regular firearms training for officers. A draft decree from the Ministry of Interior proposes granting amnesty to citizens who surrender unlicensed weapons at district offices—a strategy intended to reduce illegal firearms without fear of prosecution. Community leaders and police chiefs emphasize a zero-tolerance policy for unregistered weapons and encourage residents to report any suspicious activity.

Understanding Youth Violence

Criminologists at Chulalongkorn University point to a mix of family neglect, peer pressure, and the quest for social status as key factors in rural teen aggression. Child psychiatrists warn that unresolved anger can find a lethal outlet when improvised pistols are inexpensive. Experts agree that law enforcement alone cannot break the cycle; they advocate for safe spaces in schools, temples, and community centers where young people can express frustrations constructively.

Looking Ahead for Community Safety

As the community mourns the loss of two young lives, police stress the importance of public cooperation in identifying any additional suspects. Officials say that lasting safety requires coordinated efforts among law enforcement, educators, and religious leaders. Only through such a long-term strategy can rural Thailand reduce gun violence.