A resident in Chiang Rai province shot his neighbor during a dispute over noise from livestream videos on the evening of May 11 in Thoeng district.
Incident Overview
The 24-year-old victim, Siwakorn, suffered a gunshot wound to his right arm and experienced significant blood loss. He received hospital treatment and remains in stable condition as of May 13.
Siwakorn and a friend were livestreaming inside the house when a sudden gunshot rang out. The friend witnessed Siwakorn collapse in pain. The pair hid briefly, fearing more shots, before the friend rushed Siwakorn to the hospital.
Prior Conflict and Arrest
Siwakorn identified his neighbor, Jeerapong, as the shooter. The two had argued previously over noise from the livestream sessions, though Siwakorn denied producing excessive sound.
Siwakorn’s uncle, Tanawat, backed this account, stating the livestreams were not loud. He accused Jeerapong of causing repeated disturbances in the neighborhood, including shouting and throwing objects at nearby homes.
Thoeng Police Station officers arrested Jeerapong on May 12 at a palm plantation about 10 kilometers from the scene. During interrogation, Jeerapong denied the shooting, claiming no prior arguments with Siwakorn and that he was working in a remote mountainous plantation at the time.
Evidence and Charges
Despite the denial, police found a rifle hidden in a chicken coop near the victim’s property, indicating recent concealment. Authorities charged Jeerapong with attempted murder.
Under Thai law, attempted murder penalties equal half those for murder, which can result in death, life imprisonment, or 15 to 20 years in prison. Exact sentencing remains unconfirmed.
Jeerapong also faces charges under the Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearms Act for illegal firearm possession.
