Gunfight between rival in Phetchaburi leaves one dead

2026-03-24 - 03:00

PHETCHABURI — 23 March 2026, A 21-year-old man was killed after opening fire on a rival group in a crowded market area in Ban Laem district, police said, in the latest escalation of a long-running feud between local youth gangs. The incident occurred at around 20:00 on Nakhathiwat Road, in front of a market near Wat Ton Son in tambon Ban Laem. Police and forensic officers responding to reports of a shooting found more than a dozen spent shell casings scattered over a stretch of about 50 metres. The victim, identified as Jaruwat “Fluke” Dangkong, was taken to Ban Laem Hospital by friends but later died from gunshot wounds to both sides of his torso. A witness, a 62-year-old pad thai vendor at the scene, told police that three young men arrived on a motorcycle and stopped in front of her stall. Shortly after, another motorcycle carrying two men passed by and stopped in the middle of the road. The rider, later identified as Jaruwat, allegedly drew a gun and fired at the group of three. One of the targeted men ran into the vendor’s stall for cover, while the other two returned fire. Jaruwat reportedly continued shooting while retreating before being struck by bullets and collapsing about 50 metres away. The three men then fled the scene on their motorcycle. The vendor said stray bullets narrowly missed her, with one passing through a cooking basin beside her and striking a wall behind. She attributed her survival to a religious amulet she was wearing. Police said the shooting is believed to be linked to an ongoing rivalry between two local youth groups, known as the “Khlong Wat” and “Ban Nai” factions, which have been involved in multiple violent incidents in recent years, including fatal shootings and stabbings. Authorities said they have identified the suspects involved in the latest shooting and are working to apprehend them for prosecution.