PHETCHABURI– On Saturday, Police were summoned to a tragic shooting at the heart of the city’s main market, which left three dead. A police officer shot and killed a husband and wife who sold eggs, then turned the gun on himself.
Police Lt Co Sunanta Rodpetch from Phetchaburi City Police Station told reporters she was notified of a shooting at an egg shop known locally as “Lan Kai Na Wiek”. The egg shop is located in the busy market area in front of the old Phetchaburi Rama cinema.
She quickly informed Police Col Chokchai Nielson, the station’s commander, and rushed to the scene with her team. They coordinated with medical staff from Prachomklao Hospital, forensic officers, and rescue workers from Sawangsanpetchdhamsathan Foundation.
At the scene, they found two people dead inside the egg shop, both lying in pools of blood. The victims were a married couple, a 31-year-old woman named Siwaporn Jongpanyapraphan from Tha Yang district, and her husband, Kritsada Ketkaew, aged 33. They had both been shot in the head.
About 20 metres away, near the old cinema entrance, the body of the gunman, identified as Police Sergeant Somsak Permsap, a traffic officer at the local station. He had shot himself in the head with a handgun that was still in his right hand. It was secured by the police as evidence.
Early investigation suggests that Sergeant Somsak and the couple had ongoing disputes about selling eggs, which had lasted for over a year. These arguments, mostly about pricing and business competition, created tension.
On the morning of the incident, which was also a busy market day for the Chinese festival, witnesses say Sergeant Somsak walked straight to the shop, didn’t speak, and fired the shots.
Ms Tuay, a neighbouring flower seller, said she didn’t see the moment the gun was fired but heard loud gunshots, then saw Kritsada fall. Ju, his wife, called out asking what had happened to him before she too was shot. Both died on the scene.
Afterwards, Sergeant Somsak walked up to the old cinema building, about 20 metres away from where the shootings took place, and took his own life.
Colonel Chokchai Nielson confirmed that the suspect was a police officer who knew the victims well. All three were from the same community and worked in the egg business. Regular arguments about undercutting prices had created ongoing friction between them.
At this point, police believe the motive was rooted in the business dispute, but they will continue to gather more details by speaking with relatives from both sides to get a clearer picture.
Thailand has faced a number of serious incidents where police officers or former officers have committed murder-suicide. These tragedies often stem from personal conflicts, drug problems, or job-related stress. Each case draws attention to bigger problems such as mental health issues, addiction, and gun access within the police force.
While these events do not happen often, they show the risks that come with easy access to police firearms, untreated mental health struggles among officers, and the fear of being judged for asking for help. Thailand has strict gun laws, with sentences of up to 10 years for illegal weapons, yet gun ownership remains high, especially among those who used to serve in law enforcement.
