Naklua, Banglamung District
Panic erupted near the Pattaya Music Festival 2026 venue at Lan Pho Public Park last night when a 60-year-old woman, reportedly the owner of a local restaurant next to the festival location, allegedly drew a handgun and fired a shot, seriously wounding two people, one critically, on Friday night. The restaurant owner was immediately arrested and reportedly stated that she had been feuding with the victim for years and it came to a head tonight.
At around 10:46 p.m. on March 27th, 2026, Pol. Lt. Col. Suphawat Latthapricha, Deputy Inspector of Banglamung Police Station, received a report of a shooting with two injured victims. The incident occurred beside a small Thai/Chinese style restaurant on Na Kluea Road, near Lan Pho Market where the music festival was taking place at the same time.
Senior officers, including Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchanart, Superintendent of Banglamung Police Station, immediately mobilized investigation teams, district administrative officers, Pattaya municipal officials, and rescue volunteers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya to the scene. Many officers arrived immediately having been stationed at the festival.
The shooting took place just beside the ongoing Pattaya Music Festival 2026, causing widespread alarm among large numbers of tourists and festival attendees. Police quickly secured the area and moved bystanders to safety.
Two victims were found with gunshot wounds:
– Ms. Sutisa Nim-sali, 29, suffered a severe abdominal wound, losing significant blood and breathing with difficulty.
– Ms. Patcharee Karunyanlanchakon 37, was struck by a stray bullet in her left ankle.
Rescue teams provided initial first aid before urgently transporting both women to a nearby hospital.
Eyewitnesses told police that the suspect suddenly pulled out a pistol and fired at close range, hitting the first victim in the stomach. The second woman is believed to have been a random bystander hit by a stray round in the ankle. The exact motive was initially unclear to bystanders, who rushed to assist the victims and alerted security personnel from the nearby festival area.
The suspect, identified by police as Ms. Pornthip Srikhak, 60, was quickly apprehended at the scene. Officers seized a Sig Sauer P250 semi-automatic pistol (9mm) and one spent cartridge as evidence.
According to initial statements, Pornthip claimed she had endured years of online harassment and verbal abuse on social media from the severely injured woman. On the night of the incident, she could no longer tolerate it and allegedly fired one shot before attempting to leave the area, saying she would surrender at the police station.
Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchanart ordered investigation teams to collect statements from all parties, interview witnesses, and review CCTV footage from the area. The full circumstances, including the alleged long-term social media conflict, are under active investigation.
Both victims received emergency medical treatment. The case has been forwarded for legal proceedings against the suspect in accordance with Thai law.
The investigation remains ongoing.
