On December 23, 2024, a shocking incident occurred at a cockfighting arena in Phutthamonthon, Thailand.
It was reported that after losing about 100 million Thai baht in bets at the cockfight, the situation quickly escalated into a violent conflict. This incident has attracted significant social attention, and the police have launched a manhunt for three armed suspects, successfully apprehending some of the involved individuals. The police have vowed to capture the remaining perpetrators and severely punish the related illegal activities.
The incident took place in the Bang Len district of Phutthamonthon at a cockfighting arena. At the time, the betting amount reached 1 million Thai baht, which led to a fierce dispute over the gambling stakes.
The police stated that the betting amount does not include the bets from previous rounds, meaning the total amount involved in the gambling activity was much higher than initially reported. The dominant emotions of the participants who lost the bets contributed to the escalation.
Five men were involved in the conflict. The shooting was believed to be related to significant gambling losses.
The police have identified two suspects, Somkhuan (also known as Mark) and Itthiphon (also known as Boy), from Ratchaburi, who have been formally arrested and charged with attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms and money, and setting up without a valid reason in a public place. Additionally, the suspects face legal sanctions for discharging firearms in public without cause.
Although the cockfighting arena was operating with the necessary permits, the violent incident has clearly impacted local safety and order.
Following the incident, the police quickly cordoned off the scene, and forensic personnel have been preserving evidence at the site. The area has also been temporarily closed, with barriers set up to prevent unauthorized access.
The management of the cockfighting arena has clearly stated that pets and knives are still prohibited at the entrance, and entry of minors under 18 is not allowed.
However, the occurrence of this incident indicates that even with clear management regulations, violence and illegal activities can still occur. Therefore, the police have strengthened security surveillance in the area and held an emergency meeting at the Bang Len Police Station to further discuss the investigation progress and how to combat similar criminal activities.
In a special investigation meeting of the Thai police, Assistant Police Chief Tanayuth stated that the police will intensify efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitives and will not tolerate any actions that disrupt social order.
He specifically emphasized that during the upcoming local elections and celebrations, the police will enhance security. At the same time, he urged the public not to conflict with law enforcement and to actively cooperate with police investigations to maintain social stability and harmony.
Furthermore, the police revealed that the suspects involved in the shooting are from a well-known Ratchaburi faction, with betting amounts reaching 500,000 Thai baht. In response, the police have brought serious charges against two shooting incidents, believing their criminal actions are closely related to significant losses in the gambling rounds.
As the New Year approaches, the Thai government and law enforcement agencies will further intensify efforts to crack down on illegal gambling activities, committed to ensuring public safety and social order.
The police stated that they will learn from past incidents at cockfighting arenas and take more effective preventive measures to prevent similar violent incidents from occurring again.
