Army private dead in apparent suicide after village shooting

A Thai army private was found dead, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, in a forest about 150 metres from the scene where he had earlier shot and injured two villagers in Surin province.

Officials had been searching for the soldier after he opened fire with his M-16 assault rifle in Karb Choeng district on Thursday night, wounding two people — one seriously.

The army said one of the injured, Anuwat Singchai, sustained a gunshot wound through his right lung and was admitted to Surin Provincial Hospital, where his condition is described as stable.

According to a relative, the soldier had wanted to return home before the incident but was denied permission by his immediate superior.

The relative described him as normally gentle, noting that he may have suffered depression since childhood, when he grew up without parents and was raised by close relatives.

His recent posting to Prasat Ta Kwai in Phanom Dong Rak district — the site of fighting with Cambodian forces late last month — might have been a tipping point, the relative added.

After a ceasefire agreement, the soldier was transferred to a base at Ban Khern Kaew in Karb Choeng district, but was still not allowed to visit his relatives in Bua Chet district of Surin.

Following the shooting, the suspect hid in a nearby house before fleeing into the forest, where his body was later discovered.

Commenting on the incident, Lt-Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, said that stress among troops on the battlefield is to be expected and may have long-lasting effects.

He has instructed army medical personnel to assess soldiers after they have been exposed to combat.

The army said it has not yet determined a definitive motive for the shooting.