CHIANG RAI – On Thursday, an elderly man tried to win back his estranged wife, but the situation turned tragic when he suddenly pulled out a gun and shot her in the leg. He then took his own life at the busy market, leaving witnesses shocked.
Around 1 pm, police in Chiang Rai received a call about a shooting behind Huai Sak Market. Officers arrived quickly with investigators. At the scene, they found the body of Mr. Santhat (surname withheld), aged 72, lying in a pool of blood. He had suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
Nearby, Ms. Somporn (surname withheld), aged 54, was being helped by bystanders after being shot in the leg. She works as a vendor in the market. Concerned locals rushed her to Chiang Rai Prachanukroh Hospital for treatment.
Witnesses said Mr. Santhat and Ms. Somporn were husband and wife but had separated after frequent arguments. The man made several attempts to reconcile. On the day of the incident, he rode his motorbike to the market to see her.
After exchanging a few words, he unexpectedly drew a 9mm handgun and fired, hitting her in the leg. He then used the same gun to shoot himself in the head.
Ms. Somporn told police she and her late husband had lived apart for three to four months. He came to see her, saying he wanted to buy food. She handed him two bags of rice, but he suddenly pulled out a gun and fired.
She believes he aimed at her, but the first shot hit her leg, possibly by accident. The second shot missed everyone. Afterwards, he walked away and shot himself, though she did not see this happen.
Police sent the body for a full autopsy. They will take statements from the injured woman and other witnesses to gather evidence before continuing with the investigation.
Shootings in Chiang Rai
In Chiang Rai, domestic disputes have occasionally escalated into tragic shootings, highlighting the need for better conflict resolution and mental health support in the region. A notable incident in May 2025 involved a father who, in a jealous rage, fatally shot his wife and young son before taking his own life, leaving the community in shock.
Another case during the 2025 Songkran celebrations saw a woman shoot a man amid a heated argument, underscoring how personal conflicts can turn violent in public settings. Despite Chiang Rai’s reputation as a generally safe and close-knit community, these rare but devastating events reveal underlying issues such as jealousy, untreated mental health problems, and access to firearms.
Chiang Rai authorities continue to investigate these incidents to address root causes and prevent future tragedies.
