A family in Chon Buri’s Banglamung district has been forced to abandon their home after being targeted in a terrifying gang attack involving more than 20 teenagers armed with guns and improvised explosives.
The ordeal was revealed by 42-year-old Sutharat Deejaivong, who reached out to the media for help after weeks of living in fear. Despite filing multiple complaints with local police, she claims no progress has been made in the investigation, raising fears that influential figures may be protecting the attackers.
The conflict began on June 17, when Sutharat’s daughter had an argument with a group of teenagers she knew. The disagreement escalated outside the family home, where a male teen attempted to assault her. The situation spiraled when the girl’s boyfriend intervened, sparking a physical fight. Both sides later filed complaints at the Banglamung police station.
Tensions flared again on the night of July 7, when between 20 and 30 motorbikes carrying the same group of teenagers arrived outside the family’s residence around 11 p.m. Armed with guns and ping-pong bombs, the group began their assault. Explosives were thrown at the property, damaging the family car and surrounding belongings.
When Sutharat stepped outside to assess the situation, she was confronted by one of the gang members brandishing a firearm. Terrified for her life, she retreated indoors as the attackers continued their rampage.
Following the incident, the family filed another report with Banglamung police. However, more than a month later, there has been no visible progress. The lack of response has left the family disillusioned and desperate for protection.
“We’re too scared to stay in that house anymore. My entire family had to relocate to avoid further attacks,” Sutharat told reporters, urging authorities to take swift action to prevent further violence.
She also voiced concerns that local power brokers or influential individuals may be shielding the perpetrators, slowing down the investigation and emboldening the teenagers.
The attack highlights a growing concern about youth violence and the slow pace of justice in such cases. Families like Sutharat’s are left vulnerable, while teenage gangs continue to escalate conflicts with dangerous weapons and tactics designed to intimidate.
Local residents fear that unless authorities act decisively, the violence could spread and embolden other gangs to resort to similar intimidation tactics. The family’s story has since drawn attention from human rights advocates and community leaders who stress the urgent need for stronger police intervention.
In a separate but equally disturbing case, three teenagers in Lampang province were recently arrested for allegedly setting a disabled dog on fire inside a temple bathroom. Both incidents underscore the troubling trend of violent behavior among Thai youth, raising urgent questions about law enforcement’s role in preventing such acts.
For now, Sutharat and her family remain displaced, calling for justice and pleading with authorities to take action before the violence escalates further.
