CHIANG RAI – On Tuesday, police shared an update on the shocking case that happened around midnight on December 18th, when a group of teenagers opened fire at another group near the three-way junction at the entrance to Ban Mae Phung, Pa Daet Subdistrict, Pa Daet District.
The shooting killed 13-year-old Praditsak (surname withheld), known as “Nong Model”, and left five others injured.
Police say they have now tracked down and arrested a suspect linked to the attack. The arrest followed a fast push to gather evidence, including witness statements, CCTV footage from the escape route, and interviews with the injured and people nearby.
The operation was ordered by Chiang Rai Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Manop Senakul, along with Deputy Commander Col Pipat Naradet. The Chiang Rai Provincial Police Investigation Unit worked with Pa Daet Police Station, led by Col Kulchat Sakyothinthada, to keep pressure on the search and identify those involved.
Initial checks show officers seized several items believed to be connected to the case. These include knives, spent bullet casings, and other evidence tied to the shooting. Police are also expanding the investigation to find other suspects. Some are believed to be minors, and officers say they will follow the law strictly, without exception.
The suspect, already in custody, has been handed over to investigators. Police are pursuing charges, including jointly assaulting others, causing death, as well as firearms-related offences. Any suspects who are juveniles have been sent into the Chiang Rai Juvenile and Family Court process.
In Pa Daet Subdistrict, the mood remains heavy with grief. Relatives and residents are calling on authorities to bring everyone involved to justice, to restore confidence in public safety, and to stop a similar attack from happening again.
Police said they aim to complete the case file as soon as possible. They also plan tighter steps to prevent violence in the area, especially during festivals and at night, to avoid another tragedy like this.
Separately, Chiang Rai City Police arrested an 18-year-old man accused of carrying more than 100,000 methamphetamine tablets on a coach from Mae Sai, with the drugs reportedly bound for Surat Thani.
At 4.30 pm on December 22nd, officers arrested Cholipat Chupong, also known as “Payu”, 18, from Pak Phraek Subdistrict, Don Sak District, Surat Thani. He was detained while travelling on a Sombat Tour coach at Bus Terminal 2, on the Bangkok to Chiang Rai route.
He faces a charge of possessing Category 1 narcotics (methamphetamine) for sale. Police seized 10 blocks of “999” blue tablets, totalling 101,000 pills. The drugs were hidden in a backpack stored in the luggage compartment under the coach.
During questioning, Cholipat admitted he had been hired by Sahaphap Chumphunuch, also known as “Arm”, a mechanic from Don Sak Village, Thong Ao Subdistrict, Don Sak District, Surat Thani.
He told police he was offered 25,000 baht to collect the drugs at the border checkpoint near Bridge 1 in Mae Sai and deliver them to Surat Thani, but was stopped before he could complete the trip.
