A man has been arrested following the fatal shooting of his stepfather in Cha-am, with the suspect confessing to the crime and citing long-standing resentment over abuse of his mother and disputes related to land inheritance as the motive.
Cha-am Police Station in Phetchaburi Province received a report on 15 September that Mr. Sanit Klaisubarn, 53, had been shot and killed at his residence in Rai Mai Phatthana Subdistrict. The shooting occurred late on 14 September in Mr. Sanit’s home, which is situated within a large pineapple plantation.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Chumphol Suksanan, 34, stepson of the deceased, was taken in for questioning by Cha-am police. He confessed to shooting Mr. Sanit with a shotgun, explaining that he had harboured deep anger over the victim’s repeated abuse of his mother, Ms. Phim Suksanan, as well as family arguments over land inheritance.
After the shooting, Mr. Chumphol reportedly disposed of the firearm in a nearby pineapple field, about two kilometres from the scene of the crime, before returning to his home. He was later detained by the authorities.
Pol. Col. Somkiat Chomchai, Superintendent of Cha-am Police Station, stated that Mr. Chumphol had admitted to two key reasons for the killing: his frustration over his mother selling land and giving the proceeds to his stepfather, and ongoing family conflicts.
Mr. Chumphol has been charged with intentional homicide, possession of a firearm, and carrying a firearm into a village and public area without permission. Police have since taken him to the scene of the crime to recover the weapon and to conduct a reenactment of the incident. He is now in custody as legal proceedings continue.
The investigation is ongoing.