Thai Man Shot While Riding Motorcycle on Busy Samut Prakan Road

A 25-year-old Thai man is fighting for his life after being shot multiple times while riding his motorcycle along a busy road in Samut Prakan, just outside of Bangkok. The shocking incident occurred at approximately 7.40am on July 30 along the outbound stretch of Bangna-Trat Road, directly opposite the Bangna Tower office complex.

According to eyewitnesses, the victim was travelling slowly along the heavily congested road when gunfire suddenly erupted. He sustained two gunshot wounds to the back and another to his shoulder before collapsing near a vendor stall by the roadside. Emergency responders from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation quickly transported him to Prince Hospital Suvarnabhumi, where he remains in serious condition.

The motive behind the brazen morning shooting remains unclear. A witness, who operates a stall near the scene, described hearing several gunshots before seeing the injured man stumble to a stop. She initially saw no blood but was shocked upon discovering bullet wounds after he pleaded for help.

Victim May Have Been Followed, Says Father

The victim’s father has voiced suspicions that his son may have been targeted and followed by the shooter, though he offered no further evidence or insight into potential motives. The crime, which unfolded in full view of morning commuters, has fuelled fears about the rise in gun violence in Thailand’s urban centres.

A separate vendor at the scene noted that the actual shooting occurred a short distance away and was obstructed from view by several parked vehicles. She added that traffic was particularly dense at the time, potentially making it easier for the gunman to blend in and escape unnoticed.

Police from the Samut Prakan station have since launched a full-scale manhunt. Officers are combing through CCTV footage along Bangna-Trat Road in hopes of identifying and tracking the shooter. Authorities are urging anyone with additional footage or information to come forward.

Recent Bangkok Murder-Suicide Highlights Growing Safety Concerns

This incident comes just two days after a high-profile shooting at Bangkok’s Or Tor Kor Market, where a disgruntled man shot and killed four security guards and a female vendor before taking his own life. That attack, reportedly driven by personal grievances and a failed business venture, sparked national debate about firearm access and mental health support in Thailand.

Public safety advocates have expressed concern over the apparent uptick in violent crimes involving firearms, particularly in high-traffic areas such as markets and main roads. Calls have been renewed for stricter licensing laws and deeper psychological assessments for firearm owners.

As investigations continue into the motorcycle shooting in Samut Prakan, authorities are treating the case as a potentially targeted attack. The assailant remains at large, and the Thai police are working around the clock to bring the perpetrator to justice.