CHIANG RAI – On Tuesday, Pol. Lt. Col. Boonchuay Kantawong, an investigator with Mae Chan Police Station, was notified of a shooting in front of a 7-Eleven near Sankong Market in Mae Chan District, Chiang Rai.
He quickly informed Pol. Col. Kiattisak Jitprasan, the station chief, called for the investigative team to check out the scene.
When officers arrived, they found a man named Phongsawat, 35, with gunshot wounds to his left and right shoulders, as well as his cheekbone. He was in a critical condition. Paramedics rushed him to Mae Chan Hospital for urgent treatment.
After looking at footage from nearby security cameras, police identified the suspect as Mr. Sarayut, 30, from Huai Khrai in Mae Sai, Chiang Rai.
He fled the scene on a blue Honda Giorno motorcycle with no visible licence plate, heading along the Mae Chan-Mae Sai Road toward the Sankong intersection. Officers are now reviewing more CCTV footage to track his escape route.
Initial findings suggest there was an ongoing dispute between the two men over drugs. Records show the suspect has an outstanding arrest warrant for drug offences, and the victim also has a history of involvement in drug activities.
They had met in the convenience store before stepping outside to settle their issues, which led to the shooting. Police will keep working to track down the suspect and bring charges as required by law.
Shootings in Chiang Rai
Chiang Rai is often seen as a quiet province, famous for its scenic beauty and rich cultural roots. In recent years, though, some upsetting shootings have occurred. Many of these incidents are linked to family fights or personal feuds.
Even though most people see Chiang Rai as a safe and friendly place, these rare but shocking events shine a light on bigger problems. Easy access to guns, untreated mental health issues, and rising tensions between people all play a role.
In August 2025, a 72-year-old named Mr Santhat shot his estranged wife, Ms Somporn, in the leg near Huai Sak Market. After failing to rebuild their relationship, he took his own life just behind the market.
In May, another incident took place when a father, driven by jealousy, killed both his wife and son before turning the gun on himself. The news rocked the local community.
During the Songkran festival in Rim Kok in 2025, a heated argument ended with a woman shooting a man in the stomach, showing how even festive occasions can turn violent.
While these acts are not common, they stand out against Chiang Rai’s generally low rates of violent crime. Locals and tourists usually feel comfortable enjoying night markets, cafes, and the city’s temples.
Local officials in Chiang Rai respond by digging into the reasons behind these acts, stepping up security, and calling for better mental health care. They also encourage healthier ways to work through conflicts, aiming to prevent future cases and keep communities safe.
Gun Violence in Thailand
However, Thailand has one of the highest numbers of firearms in Southeast Asia. Of more than 10.34 million guns in the country, about 6.22 million are legally registered. This high rate of gun ownership adds to the risk of such tragic events happening.
The Country faces a significant gun violence crisis, with one of Southeast Asia’s highest firearm ownership rates at 15.1 guns per 100 people, totalling over 10.3 million firearms, 40% of which are unregistered. In 2019, gun deaths reached 2,804, a rate of 3.91 per 100,000, ranking Thailand second in ASEAN for gun-related fatalities.
Recent mass shootings, including a 2023 Bangkok mall attack by a 14-year-old, killing two, and a 2022 nursery massacre claiming 36 lives, highlight lax enforcement and cultural factors glorifying guns.
Despite strict regulations, loopholes like the government’s gun welfare program and black-market sales fuel the issue. Mental health challenges and societal tolerance for violence exacerbate the problem. The government has suspended new gun licenses until December 2024 and is drafting stricter laws, but comprehensive reforms are needed.
