CHACHOENGSAO — Three Myanmar migrant workers were shot dead and another man was seriously injured following a confrontation with a village security volunteer in Phanom Sarakham district late on 27 June, police said.
Police responded to reports of a shooting at around 23:30 in Ban Nong Nam Dam, Koh Khanun subdistrict. Officers found the bodies of three Myanmar nationals, each with multiple gunshot wounds. Their identities had not yet been confirmed. A Thai man, identified as Pichai Daphantha, suffered serious stab wounds to his left side and was taken to Phanom Sarakham Hospital before police arrived. Investigators recovered more than 16 spent 9mm shell casings, along with a handgun and a knife believed to have been used in the incident.
The shooter, 24-year-old village security volunteer Theerapat Nopthao, told police that he and a friend went to warn several groups of migrant workers who were drinking alcohol and playing loud music near a residential area. He claimed an argument broke out before his friend was struck with a bottle and later stabbed after falling to the ground.
Theerapat said around 10 men armed with knives then ran towards him, prompting him to open fire in self-defence. Police forensic officers were collecting evidence at the scene as the investigation continued. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether any charges will be filed.