Promotion dinner ends in tragedy: Local chief’s link to gunman sparks deadly clash

A gunman, allegedly linked to a local chief, killed one highway police officer and critically wounded another on Wednesday night in the Mueang district of Nakhon Pathom province after a heated discussion about a promotion at a dinner meeting.

The Crime Suppression Division (CSD) commander, Montree Theskhan, confirmed that CSD police, led by deputy Pornsak Laolujiralai, are actively searching for the gunman in Nakhon Pathom and nearby provinces.

The suspect gunman, identified as 45 year old Thananchai Manmak, is reportedly linked to Praween Chankhlai, also known as Kamnan Nok, a tambon chief.

A tragic incident occurred around 10pm outside a house in Tambon Takong, Mueang district. Kamnan Nok had organised a dinner meeting with a group of highway police officers to build rapport. Police Major Sivakorn Saibua and Police Lieutenant Colonel Wasin Panpee…