64-Year-Old Man Shoots Neighbor Over Mushroom Picking Dispute
A 64-year-old man in Kanchanaburi shot his 35-year-old neighbor in the back after becoming angry that the neighbor had not taken him mushroom picking as promised. The shooter, who was heavily intoxicated, admitted to the act and was arrested by police. The victim was hospitalized with serious injuries but is now out of danger pending surgery to remove the bullet.
Kanchanaburi – A 64-year-old man seized a shotgun and shot his 35-year-old neighbor, causing serious injuries. Police took him into custody; he reeked of alcohol and was heavily drunk. He said he was dissatisfied, felt cheated, and resentful for not being taken to pick mushrooms.
15 Oct 69 – Officers from the Lad Ya Police Station investigation team went to a house in Moo 3, Wang Dong sub-district, Mueang district, Kanchanaburi province to detain the 64-year-old man, along with a long-barrel shotgun, one round loaded in the gun, and one spent cartridge.
After being informed that the 64-year-old used the weapon to shoot the 35-year-old neighbor, causing serious injuries, officers approached to detain him. The man did not attempt to flee and sat waiting to speak with police, smiling and giving off a strong alcohol odor, appearing heavily intoxicated.
The 64-year-old admitted to firing the shotgun at the 35-year-old, causing his injuries. Police took him and the shotgun as evidence to the Lad Ya Police Station for further questioning. While being detained, his daughter approached, voice trembling, telling him she had warned him many times to think of his children before acting. He replied dismissively, saying his daughter did not know how deeply resentful he felt toward the 35-year-old.
Officers then took the 64-year-old to the Lad Ya Police Station for questioning. He began speaking coherently, explaining that he became angry and embarrassed after the neighbor, who is like a son or grandson to him, lied about taking him to pick honey mushrooms in the forest, but never did, claiming fear of wild elephants. When morning came and he checked the forest where the neighbor said he had gone mushroom hunting, he found no elephant tracks or dung, realizing he had been deceived. Outraged, he bought white liquor, drank it in front of his house while waiting for the neighbor to return.
When the 35-year-old arrived on his motorcycle, the drunken 64-year-old grabbed the shotgun beside him and fired a shot into the neighbor’s back. The bullet struck the back and rib area in multiple places, causing the neighbor to collapse in a pool of blood.
Neighbors who heard the gunfire called emergency services, who rushed the wounded man to Surasri Military Hospital for urgent treatment. The 64-year-old shooter remained at the scene awaiting police custody.
Initially, investigators from Lad Ya Police Station charged the 64-year-old with attempted murder and violations of the Firearms Act. The neighbor’s condition is now out of danger but he still requires surgery to remove the bullet(s) from his body.
