SURIN, Thailand – A quiet community in Surin’s Kap Choeng district is reeling after a 25-year-old army private, Ratthapoom Thepsiri, died by suicide after shooting two civilians.
The Royal Thai Army confirmed that Private Ratthapoom, who served in the 1623rd Infantry Company under the Second Army Region, left his post on his own, taking his M16 rifle and plenty of ammunition with him. The shooting took place in the early hours of 15 August 2025.
Residents near Ban Khuean Kaeo Temple woke to the sound of gunfire just before 1 a.m. Witnesses counted ten shots at first, then two more about ten minutes later. The incident left Anuwat Singchai, 32, with a serious injury to his lung, while Wutthana Naprakoan, 35, suffered minor wounds from broken glass.
Local rescue teams took both men to the hospital, with Anuwat going to Prasat Hospital and Wutthana to Surin Hospital. Hospital staff later reported that both men were stable and recovering, with Anuwat’s health showing signs of improvement.
Private Ratthapoom ran away after the attack, which led to a search lasting nearly ten hours. Teams from the army and local police eventually found him in a wooded area about 150 metres from the scene. Officers believe he died from a self-inflicted gunshot.
His father, Prayoon, 51, had come to help with negotiations but collapsed with grief after learning his son had died.
Army Private Suffered from PTSD
Lt Gen. Boonsin Padklang, who leads the Second Army Region, said the reason for the shooting wasn’t clear but suggested PTSD stress from recent combat likely played a part. Private Ratthapoom had just returned from the Prasat Ta Kwai border, an area where fighting near Cambodia has raised tensions for troops.
Lt. Gen. Boonsin pointed to the high stress felt by soldiers during these clashes. He has since called for extra checks on the mental health of those stationed in these difficult areas.
Family described Ratthapoom as gentle and quiet, saying he may have struggled with depression, made worse by his time on the tense border. In the days before his death, his mother shared an emotional plea on social media asking her son to surrender, a post that drew support from people across the country.
Thailand has seen other cases where soldiers have attacked civilians. In February 2020, a soldier in Nakhon Ratchasima killed 29 people and wounded 57 more before authorities shot him dead. That attack again involved military-issued weapons and was driven by personal troubles.
In another case in 2017, a soldier shot a man in Chonburi over an argument, later blaming stress and money worries. These events have sparked calls for the army to tighten control over weapons and to increase support for soldiers’ mental health.
Support for the Victims
The latest shooting comes as tensions remain high near the border with Cambodia. Recent clashes there have led to many deaths. In July 2025, Thai officials said 15 civilians and 15 soldiers died in border fighting, with others hurt by artillery fire in Surin Province.
These ongoing problems add to the strain faced by serving soldiers like Ratthapoom.
The Royal Thai Army released a statement expressing sympathy to the injured men and their families, and promised to work closely with the police in the investigation.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai called on military leaders to put more focus on the well-being of their troops. The army has also promised to support the victims as they recover under close watch in the hospital.
Locals have mixed feelings about what happened. Some, such as shop owner Wilaiporn Praphasphong, spoke about the fear and confusion during the shooting. Others showed some understanding for the young soldier, thinking about the stress he faced while serving.
One resident, who is from a military family, said it was tragic that Ratthapoom had survived dangerous patrols only to lose his life back home due to pressure from others.
This tragic event highlights the heavy load carried by those serving in tense and risky positions.
Authorities now face pressure to help the victims, but also to look deeper into the support systems for soldiers. For anyone struggling with emotional distress, help is available from the Samaritans of Thailand at 02 713 6791 (English) or 1323 (Thai).
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