Angry diner shoots up Thailand restaurant killing parents of 12-year-old boy celebrating birthday

A 12-year-old boy and six-year-old girl lost both of their parents in Hat Yai district, Thailand's Songkhla province, when a drunk customer fired several shots into a restaurant.

The family were celebrating the boy's birthday, according to Thai media.

The incident occurred on Dec. 22, at about 10pm local time (Singapore time 11pm), at Khrua Paowana eatery on Nuan Kaew Uthit Road.

Customer became annoyed with waiter who cleared his table while he was smoking

The Bangkok Post reported that the alleged shooter, Akarapon Pamchamnong, had arrived at the restaurant by himself to drink.

After a while, the 50-year-old went outside of the restaurant to smoke.

A waiter then cleared his table.

When Akarapon returned, he became annoyed and got into a quarrel with the waiter and restaurant owner.

He then drove off and returned to continue the quarrel, before drawing a gun and firing it repeatedly.

Khaosod English reported that the children's mother, Orachon Ieankham, 45, shielded her daughter with her body, while the father, Sitthipong Siriphan, 48, had been attempting to save his family.

Both of them were shot in the head, according to the Bangkok Post.

Their daughter also sustained head wounds while her brother was unscathed.

Both of them are the only surviving members of their family.

Another two customers were also wounded.

One of them received a bullet wound in the head, while another was shot in the arm.

Charged with murder and attempted murder

Following the shooting, Akarapon surrendered to the police.

Eight spent 9mm cartridges were found at the scene of the incident.

He was charged with murder and attempted murder on Dec. 23, 2024.

Top images via Khaosod English