CHIANG RAI – A tragic hunting trip turned into a nightmare in northern Thailand when a man accidentally shot and killed his longtime friend. The shooter told police that he mistook his hunting partner for a wild boar in the pitch-black darkness.
The fatal incident happened on the night of May 28, 2026. It serves as a stark reminder of the extreme dangers of illegal nighttime hunting in deep forest areas. Police have detained the shooter and are investigating the full details of the event.
According to a report by Ch7HD News, local authorities received a distress call late Thursday evening. Emergency responders and police officers hurried to the scene, but the dense jungle made the rescue mission difficult.
The shooting took place in the Huai Nam Hai forest area, located behind Rong Village in the Mae Chedi Mai sub-district of Wiang Pa Pao, Chiang Rai. The site sits roughly 2.5 kilometers outside the village boundary, deep within the rough mountain terrain.
Led by Police Colonel Suphap Khueankaew, Superintendent of the Mae Chedi Police Station, a team of investigators, detectives, and volunteer rescue workers from the Siam Chiang Rai Foundation pushed into the dark woods.
When the authorities arrived at the remote spot, they discovered the body of 46-year-old Mr. Wirachart. He had suffered fatal gunshot wounds from a shotgun.
How a Sudden Flash of Light Led to Tragedy
The suspect, identified as 54-year-old Mr. Booncherd, stayed at the scene to wait for the police. He was visibly shaken and surrendered to officers without any resistance. Police seized his weapon, an unregistered 12-gauge long-barreled shotgun, as evidence.
During initial questioning, investigators pieced together how the hunting trip went wrong:
- The Plan: The two friends, who lived in the same village, decided to go out together for a night hunt in the Huai Nam Hai woods to track wild animals.
- The Separation: Once they reached their destination, they decided to split up and walk in different directions to increase their chances of finding game.
- The Mistake: Around 7:00 PM, Mr. Booncherd flashed his flashlight into a thick bush. He saw a pair of glowing eyes reflecting the beam of light.
- The Shot: Believing the glowing eyes belonged to a wild boar, he raised his shotgun and fired a single round directly into the brush.
When Mr. Booncherd walked over to check his prize, he made a horrifying discovery. It was not a wild boar lying in the brush, but his close friend, Mr. Wirachart.
Immediate Actions Taken After the Fatal Encounter
Realizing the gravity of his mistake, the shooter did not run away. Instead, he immediately called his wife on his mobile phone to report the accident. He asked her to contact the assistant village chief right away so they could alert the local police.
Medical professionals transferred the victim’s body to Wiang Pa Pao Hospital for an initial autopsy. Doctors later moved the body to Chiang Rai Prachanutroh Hospital for a more detailed medical examination to confirm the exact cause of death.
Police officers arrested Mr. Booncherd on the spot. Detectives took him to the Mae Chedi Police Station for further interrogation and formal processing.
Current Charges Filed Against the Shooter
The police have filed severe legal charges against Mr. Booncherd. These include:
- Negligence Causing Death: Acting carelessly in a way that causes another person to die.
- Weapons Violations: Carrying and using an illegal, unregistered firearm.
Local Safety Warning: This tragedy highlights the severe risks of using high-powered firearms in zero-visibility conditions. Local leaders frequently warn villagers against entering conservation forests at night to hunt, as modern flashlights can easily distort the shape of humans and animals in dense bushes.
The case remains under active investigation by the Chiang Rai police force as they finalize the paperwork for court proceedings.
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