NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – Six people were injured when a group of assailants attacked fairgoers with knives and a homemade shotgun in Dan Khun Thot district late on Wednesday, August 12, in an incident that police believe stemmed from an attempted motorcycle theft.

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The violence broke out at approximately 10:30 PM near the Phor Khun Thot Monument, where the “Chim Shop Chai” food and shopping event was taking place. Police detained one suspect, while others fled the scene. The injured were taken to Luang Pho Khun Parisuttho Dan Khun Thot Hospital, with victims suffering serious injuries later transferred to Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital.

Police said their preliminary investigation suggests the confrontation began when suspects allegedly attempted to steal a parked motorcycle. The motorcycle’s owner reportedly challenged them and, with assistance from event organiser Prakob Patithin, detained one of the alleged thieves. Police said another suspect escaped, then allegedly returned with friends armed with knives and a shotgun before the group carried out the attack.

Patithin said the attackers first used knives before firing a Thai-made shotgun loaded with “luk roi” ammunition, which scatters pellets over a wide area when discharged. The incident happened as vendors were packing up after the event. One man suffered knife injuries to his back and finger. Another was shot in the back and injured in the right arm. A third man was seriously injured after being struck by 13 pellets across his body and arm. One woman was shot twice in the leg and hit in the back by pellet fragments, while another woman was shot in the left arm. A further male victim sustained nine shotgun wounds to his back.

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Dan Khun Thot police are questioning the detained suspect and have sent forensic officers to test him for gunshot residue. Officers are continuing their search for the remaining suspects as the investigation progresses. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the fugitives to come forward, while security measures at public events in the area are being reviewed in the wake of the attack. The motive for the assault remains under investigation, though police believe it was directly linked to the earlier attempted theft.

-Thailand News (TN)