SAMUT SAKHON, Thailand – A 72-year-old factory owner shot and killed a suspected thief who allegedly confronted him with a metal pipe during a break-in at an industrial warehouse in Krathum Baen district, Samut Sakhon, on October 23. Three other suspected intruders reportedly fled the scene. Police and forensic officers inspected the premises in Suan Luang subdistrict at around 10 a.m. after receiving a report of a fatal shooting. The warehouse contained large, ageing industrial machines used for metal production, along with steel racks, metal pipes and other equipment.
The deceased man, believed to be in his 40s, was found with a gunshot wound below his left chest. An initial examination indicated that the bullet had struck near the heart and remained inside his body. His identity had not been established at the scene. The factory owner, identified as Por, remained at the premises and waited for police. He told investigators that his wife had called to report another suspected theft at the warehouse, which had been repeatedly targeted by intruders.
Por said he had built the factory around four or five years ago with the intention of producing metal goods, but had not started operations because of the economic situation. Machinery had instead been stored there, and his children had considered adapting the site for online sales in the future. He said thieves had repeatedly taken machine circuit boards for their chips or copper. Several suspects had reportedly been arrested following an earlier complaint about four to five months ago, but the thefts later resumed.
According to his initial account, Por returned home after receiving the call, collected his .38-calibre revolver and drove to the factory with his wife and daughter. He asked them to wait outside while he went inside to investigate. He told police he heard what sounded like people cutting equipment at the rear of the warehouse. One man, standing near the area where the shooting occurred, allegedly advanced towards him while holding a metal pipe. Por said he fired one shot in self-defence and did not know where the bullet had struck. He said three other men fled through the rear of the premises after the gunshot.
Police took Por and his family to Krathum Baen Police Station for further questioning. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances of the shooting and pursue the other suspected intruders. The case remains subject to the legal process. A neighbour who had known Por for years described him as calm and polite, saying the unused factory had been targeted by thieves on multiple occasions. The neighbour said the deceased man was not known to be a local resident.
