Village Headman Apologizes for Firing Rifle for 'Por Pu', Cites Legal Ignorance

Thairath•Society•2h ago

Reader Briefing

A village headman in Suphan Buri has apologized and faces charges for firing a .308 rifle 18 times during Chinese New Year to honor a local shrine, admitting to legal ignorance.

•A village headman in Suphan Buri apologized for firing a rifle during Chinese New Year to appease a local shrine.
•The headman claims he misunderstood the law, believing he could fire the legally registered firearm on his property.
•He subsequently surrendered to police, was charged with firing a gun without reasonable cause, and faces potential firearm license revocation.
•The incident sparked social media criticism regarding the appropriateness of such actions by a community leader.

Overview

•On January 17, 2026, a village headman was reported to have fired a rifle during Chinese New Year to honor a local shrine.
•The village headman fired a .308 rifle approximately 18 times into the ground behind a shrine.
•The village headman stated the act was performed to appease the 'Por Pu' shrine as it enjoys loud noises, and because he misunderstood the law.
•The village headman admitted to not reading the law sufficiently and believing firing a registered gun on his property was permissible.
•The village headman was subsequently summoned and informed of the charge of firing a gun without reasonable cause by police.
•The district chief confirmed the village headman cooperated, confessed, and was fined at the police station.
•The district chief is overseeing a written reprimand for the village headman, with potential firearm license revocation if further offenses occur.
•The village headman cautioned the public that firearms should not be discharged for any festival, as it constitutes a legal violation without necessity.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

ผู้ใหญ่ตี๋ (Village Headman Tee)

"I must apologize to everyone. I did this because I didn't read the law thoroughly. I understood that firing a gun at home was not wrong, but I forgot that firing without good reason is also an offense."

ตนต้องขอโทษทุกคน ที่กระทำไปเพราะอ่านกฎหมายไม่ละเอียด เข้าใจว่ายิงปืนในบ้านไม่ผิด แต่ลืมนึกไปว่ายิงโดยไม่มีเหตุอันควรก็มีความผิด

ผู้ใหญ่ตี๋ (Village Headman Tee)

"Firearms are not something anyone can shoot on any festival. Whether it's New Year, Chinese New Year, ordinations, or weddings, it's not appropriate to fire. Because there is no necessity to fire, and it is a violation of the law."

อาวุธปืนไม่ใช่ใครจะยิงได้ทุกเทศกาล ไม่ว่าปีใหม่ ตรุษจีน หรืองานบวช งานแต่ง ก็ไม่สมควรยิง เพราะมันไม่มีเหตุจำเป็นที่จะต้องยิง และเป็นการทำผิดกฎหมาย

Key Entities

Person

Village Headman(ผู้ใหญ่บ้าน)

The individual who fired a rifle and subsequently apologized, admitting to legal ignorance.

Sub-Lieutenant Suriya Phoosawat(พันจ่าเอก สุริยา ภู่สวัสดิ์)

The district chief of Bang Plama who commented on the incident and the village headman's actions.

Organization

Por Pu Hermit(พ่อปู่ฤาษี)

A local shrine honored by the village headman's rifle discharge.

Grandparents' Shrine(ศาลตายาย)

A shrine mentioned as enjoying loud noises, often associated with the 'Por Pu' shrine.

Bang Plama Police Station(สภ.บางปลาม้า)

The police station where the village headman went to acknowledge the charges.

Place

Sali Subdistrict(ต.สาลี)

The subdistrict where the village headman resides and the incident occurred.

Bang Plama District(อ.บางปลาม้า)

The district in Suphan Buri province where Sali Subdistrict is located.

Suphan Buri Province(จ.สุพรรณบุรี)ℹ️

The province in Thailand where the incident took place.

Law

Firing a gun without reasonable cause(ยิงปืนโดยใช่เหตุอันควร)

The legal charge brought against the village headman for discharging his firearm.