AYUTTHAYA — A bitter feud between neighbors spanning more than a decade erupted into deadly violence on Sunday, June 16, when a man fatally shot his longtime rival in front of an appliance repair shop in Uthai district, central Thailand.
Police were alerted around midday to a shooting outside the victim’s home and business in Village 12. Upon arrival, officers discovered 52-year-old Theptat collapsed with gunshot wounds to the head and torso. Despite emergency CPR efforts and immediate transport to Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Hospital, he was later pronounced dead at Rajthanee Hospital.
The alleged shooter, 35-year-old Veerayut, lived next door and was quickly arrested after fleeing into his house. Police recovered a .38 caliber handgun and found five spent cartridges hidden in a nearby trash bin.
Long-Simmering Dispute
During questioning, Veerayut told police the shooting was the result of years of conflict with the victim’s family, citing ongoing arguments over noise complaints and property boundaries.
He claimed that while returning home from a repair shop with his wife, Theptat yelled vulgar insults, triggering a confrontation. Veerayut alleged the victim then threatened him with a knife, prompting him to run inside, retrieve his gun, and return to fire five shots.
Police say the suspect remained at the scene and waited to surrender after the shooting.
Conflicting Accounts
However, 53-year-old Pranee, the victim’s wife, offered a starkly different version of events. She said her husband was singing karaoke outside their shop when Veerayut and his wife approached and began accusing him of making offensive remarks.
According to her, Theptat was unarmed and taken by surprise. She said she did not intervene during the attack for fear of being shot herself. When the shooter fled, she found her husband lying in a pool of blood.
“The families had argued for years,” Pranee told police, citing disagreements over revving motorcycle engines and disputed property lines as frequent sources of tension.
Investigation Ongoing
Police have taken Veerayut and his wife into custody at Uthai Police Station for further questioning. Investigators are reviewing the suspect’s claims of self-defense, searching for surveillance footage, and seeking witnesses to determine the full circumstances.
Authorities are expected to file charges, which may include premeditated murder, depending on the outcome of the investigation.
