Gunman Shoots Prominent Phatthalung Contractor at Golf Range
A prominent Phatthalung construction contractor, 57-year-old Saeng-athit, was shot with a .22 rifle while practicing golf at his company's driving range. The gunman approached on foot through tall grass and fired two shots, wounding the victim below the right ear. Police are investigating possible business conflicts in the local construction industry and reviewing CCTV footage, noting the attacker likely fled on foot. The victim's dog was poisoned five days earlier, suggesting possible premeditation.
Phatthalung Police Chief reveals details of a case where a gunman used a rifle to ambush and shoot a well-known provincial contractor. The perpetrator approached on foot through a grassy area to commit the crime. Police are rushing to take statements to unravel the attempted murder case.
The incident occurred at 7:50 PM on October 20, 2026. Lieutenant Colonel Phongsak Khaonuan, Deputy Inspector of Investigation at Bang Kaeo Police Station, Phatthalung Province, received a report from a concerned citizen that an unknown number of gunmen used firearms to shoot a construction contractor, causing injuries. The incident took place in front of the company in Moo 8, Kok Sak Subdistrict. Upon receiving the report, police rushed to the scene along with Police Lieutenant Colonel Porchai Khwanphanya, Superintendent of Bang Kaeo Police Station, investigation officers, and Phatthalung forensic officers.
At the scene, near the golf driving range in front of the company, officers found only bloodstains and a golf club. The injured party had been rushed by relatives to Talom Hospital before being transferred to Phatthalung Hospital. The victim was identified as Mr. Saeng-athit (surname withheld), age 57, owner of Spec Concrete Co., Ltd., and a prominent construction contractor in Phatthalung Province. He sustained a gunshot wound from a .22 caliber rifle that entered below his right earlobe, with the bullet lodging in his left cheekbone.
From preliminary questioning of a female employee, before the incident Mr. Saeng-athit was practicing golf driving in front of the company, accompanied by his two daughters who kept him company from about 5:30 PM until 7:55 PM. They heard two faint gunshots, after which the daughters urged their father to go to the hospital immediately. The employee then followed the victim's wife to transport him to the hospital.
The female employee added that five days prior, a dog kept in a cage at the property had been fed poisoned bait but the cause was unknown at the time, until the boss was shot and later died.
Reporters from Phatthalung provided the latest update at 9:30 AM on October 21, 2026. Police Major General Chawalit Phetsipee, Commander of Phatthalung Provincial Police, along with the Deputy Commander of Investigation Region 9 and EOD units, inspected the crime scene again to search for additional evidence and clues. The preliminary police investigation is focusing on conflicts of interest in the construction contracting business in Phatthalung Province.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Chawalit stated that he has ordered the investigation team to urgently gather evidence on the gunman by reviewing CCTV footage. It is suspected the gunman walked rather than drove, given the overgrown grassy terrain at the scene and the lack of CCTV cameras along the escape route. However, police are not giving up and are questioning the victim's wife and close family members to help solve the murder case.
