A tragic shooting rocked Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima province when a prison officer lost control after discovering that his ex-wife had fallen in love with the newly appointed prison warden—just two weeks after their divorce. Consumed by jealousy, the officer shot both of them dead before turning the gun on himself.
The shocking murder-suicide occurred around 7.50 p.m. on Saturday (October 4) at a senior staff residence within the Nakhon Ratchasima Central Prison compound. Police identified the gunman as 45-year-old Natthaphon, a senior corrections department supervisor. His body was found outside the house beside a 9mm handgun.
Inside the residence, officers discovered the bodies of 48-year-old Dr. Tharakhun, the prison hospital director, and 42-year-old Wijit, the newly appointed warden who had recently confirmed a romantic relationship with her.
Deadly Argument Erupted During Dinner
Preliminary investigations revealed that the three had been involved in a heated argument before gunfire erupted. Witnesses heard several rounds exchanged between the parties, indicating a brief shootout. Both Tharakhun and Wijit suffered multiple gunshot wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they later died from their injuries.
Although Natthaphon was only lightly wounded at first, police believe he realised the gravity of his actions and shot himself in the head at the scene.
Murder Driven by Jealousy and Betrayal
According to investigators, jealousy was the key motive behind the murder. Natthaphon and his ex-wife had finalised their divorce just two weeks earlier after years of marital problems. The couple shared a 10-year-old daughter.
On the night of the tragedy, Tharakhun had invited her daughter and Wijit over for dinner. Natthaphon reportedly showed up uninvited, and upon seeing his ex-wife happily dining with her new partner—who also happened to be his superior—he flew into a rage. In a fit of jealousy, he drew his gun and opened fire.
The couple’s young daughter, who was upstairs when the gunshots rang out, rushed down but was too late to intervene. She later called the police and emergency services, describing the horrific scene she had just witnessed.
Surveillance Footage Captured Three Rounds of Gunfire
Security cameras at the compound recorded three separate bursts of gunfire—two sequences of four shots each, followed by a single gunshot believed to be the one Natthaphon used to end his own life.
Thai police have classified the case as a murder-suicide driven by extreme jealousy and emotional instability. The incident has reignited concerns about domestic violence and mental health within the country’s law enforcement community, with many calling for greater psychological support for officers dealing with marital breakdowns.