Photo: International Media
Bangkok: A groom in Thailand killed four people, including his bride, on the day of his wedding and then committed suicide.
According to international media reports, the 29-year-old groom, Chatrikong Sukkhawong, and the 44-year-old bride, Kanthana Pachonthong, got married in northeastern Thailand last week. The groom left the wedding ceremony abruptly and returned with a gun, shooting his wife, her 62-year-old mother, and 38-year-old sister. The shooting also killed two wedding guests.
Police told the BBC that Chatrikong was heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident, but his motive is still unclear. He had legally purchased guns and ammunition last year.
Thai media referred to information provided by the party guests to the police, revealing that there had been an argument between the couple during the party. It was also disclosed that Chatrikong was feeling insecure about the age difference between him and Kanthana.
However, the police say that these are just speculations and they have gathered evidence, expecting the case to be solved “soon.” Chatrikong and Kanthana had been together for three years before their marriage.
Chatrikong was a former soldier and athlete who won a silver medal in archery at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Indonesia. It was believed that he was also included in the list of athletes participating in the World Para Athletics Games to be held in Thailand next month.
Chatrikong lost his right leg while on duty with the paramilitary Light Infantry Division in Thailand.
It is important to note that despite guns being common in Thailand, shooting incidents are rare. Last month, three people were killed in a shooting at a luxury mall in Bangkok. In October 2022, a former police officer killed 37 children in a nursery in northeastern Thailand in a gun and knife attack.