Retired Police Officer Killed By Brother-in-Law Over Gold Ring

LAMPANG – A 76-year-old retired teacher surrendered to local authorities after shooting and killing his brother-in-law, a retired police officer, over a missing gold ring. The tragic incident occurred on Monday, May 4, 2026, at approximately 1:00 PM in a garden hut located in Lampang province.

The fatal shooting followed a heated domestic dispute regarding stolen jewelry, leaving a family shattered and a local community in shock. Following the shooting, local officials quickly secured the area.

Police Captain Kankawee Meetham, the Deputy Inspector of Investigation at the Ko Kha Police Station, received the emergency call and rushed to the scene. He was accompanied by a local investigative team, medical personnel from Ko Kha Hospital, a forensics unit, and local rescue workers.

When authorities arrived at the rural property in Sob Pung village, they discovered a grim scene. The victim, identified as 76-year-old Weerachai Kaewmalai, was found deceased in a pool of blood. Investigators noted that he had suffered a fatal gunshot wound from a .38 caliber weapon. The bullet entered above his left eyebrow and exited through the back of his neck.

During their initial sweep of the crime scene, forensic experts recovered four bullet casings near the body, which were collected as critical evidence. The victim’s body was then transported to the forensic department at Lampang Hospital for a detailed autopsy.

Brother-in-Law Surrenders to Police

The man responsible for the shooting did not flee from justice. The suspect, identified as Noppadon Noppathotsaphon, a 76-year-old retired teacher and the victim’s brother-in-law, turned himself in at the Ko Kha Police Station shortly after the incident. He also handed over the firearm used in the crime.

According to Thairath, the preliminary police investigations, the deadly confrontation stemmed from a serious argument that began the day before. The timeline of events unfolded smoothly into a tragedy:

The Missing Item: Noppadon noticed that his half-baht gold ring was missing from his home, although his watch was still safely in place.
The Accusation: Because only the two men lived in the house together, Noppadon strongly suspected Weerachai of stealing the valuable ring.
The Denial and Eviction: Weerachai firmly denied the accusation, leading to a fierce verbal fight. Consequently, Noppadon kicked his brother-in-law out of the main house.
The Relocation: With nowhere else to go, Weerachai spent the night in a small garden hut located at the edge of the property.
The Tragic Climax: On Monday afternoon, Noppadon approached the hut to confront him again, and the lingering tension ended in fatal gunfire.

While the suspect has confessed and surrendered the murder weapon, the police investigation is not completely closed. Law enforcement officials in Lampang are continuing to interview neighbors and gather more background information to fully understand the context of the argument.

This unfortunate event highlights how quickly domestic disputes over property can escalate into irreversible violence. Police officers emphasize the importance of seeking mediation when household conflicts become difficult to manage.

Local community leaders have expressed deep sadness over the incident, noting that both men were older, retired civil servants. For now, the suspect remains in police custody, awaiting formal criminal charges and trial proceedings for taking the life of his relative.