In a shocking series of events that reverberated through the quiet district of Phasi Charoen, a 35-year-old man known as Kittidech was apprehended following a horrifying shooting at Wat Kuhasawan, a revered temple in Thonburi. The shooting resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals and unfolded like a surreal nightmare, reportedly instigated by a dream that haunted the shooter’s mind.
Police Lieutenant Withoon Saengchompoo, Deputy Inspector at Phasi Charoen Police Station, alongside Police Colonel Ophas Harnnarong and a dedicated team of forensic officers and volunteers from the Ruam Katanyu Foundation, rushed to the temple at the break of dawn on July 10. The crime scene, located on Soi Phetkasem 28, was a grim spectacle. The body of Siriporn, a 49-year-old woman, was discovered at the entrance of a house adjacent to the temple, fatally shot in the head. Mere meters away, the lifeless body of 51-year-old Ting lay in a temple pavilion, similarly shot in the head.
The incident, which marred a Buddhist holy day with violence, sparked a frantic manhunt. Witnesses quickly identified the shooter as Kittidech, who was unmistakable with his 9mm handgun. At the early hour of 6 am, Kittidech’s path of destruction began with the shooting of Siriporn. Fueled by some nightmarish vision, he then proceeded to execute Ting nearby as he made his way back home, a place eerily characterized as being located within a school near the sacred temple grounds.
Police were immediately alerted to the chaos, and as they arrived, they encountered Kittidech gripping a long gun case, signaling his readiness for further confrontation. Engaging in cautious negotiations, the officers managed to persuade him to hand over the gun case, yet he defiantly revealed a second weapon tucked into his waistband. Despite intense dialogue, Kittidech initially evaded capture, retreating into the safety of the school. It was only through the concerted efforts of both law enforcement and his own relatives that Kittidech eventually surrendered his arsenal.
In a twist that added complexity to this unfolding tale, Kittidech confessed that a dream was at the heart of his violent outburst—a bizarre vision in which the victims were driving nails into his forehead. This revelation, compounded by his history of drug use, painted a disturbing picture of paranoia and delusion.
A subsequent search of Kittidech’s residence revealed a staggering collection of weaponry and ammunition. The discovery included a Glock 19 pistol, a .38 revolver, a Remington shotgun, and more, all nestled with various magazines and speed loaders ready for action. The sheer scale and readiness of this assemblage left the authorities questioning the legality of Kittidech’s collection, leading them to proceed with pressing charges.
The events at Wat Kuhasawan have left an indelible scar on the community, intertwining themes of tragedy, mental health, and the omnipresence of firearms in society. As investigations continue, the people of Thonburi are left to grapple with the repercussions and somberly reevaluate the sanctity and safety of their sacred spaces.
This bizarre and heart-wrenching story serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable intersections of dream and reality, urging a need for dialogue and deeper understanding of the undercurrents that steer such tragedy.
I can’t believe something like this happened because of a dream. It’s just so surreal and tragic.
It just shows how fragile the human mind can be. We shouldn’t ignore mental health issues.
Absolutely. It’s a wake-up call for addressing mental health more seriously.
Crazy how he had all those weapons! What’s happened to gun control?
Gun control is a joke. People who want guns will always find a way to get them.
This is a tragedy, but it’s also a reminder of the violence that drugs can incite.
Drugs can definitely exacerbate mental health issues. The fact that he used them is significant.
Yes, and sadly, the community gets caught in the crossfire.
Poor Kittidech. He obviously didn’t mean any harm if that dream truly haunted him.
That’s no excuse for taking lives. Feel sorry for the victims, not the shooter.
Agree. It’s a tragedy that’s unjustifiable.
This entire ordeal just seems so outlandish but underscores how gun access should be scrutinized.
But the real issue here is mental health, wouldn’t you think?
Both mental health and gun access need to be addressed.
What sort of dream leads you to murder? Seems like a convenient excuse.
I mean, if you believe you’re in danger in a dream, logic can go out the window.
Deeply saddened by this. Temples should be places of peace, not violence.
This story is so distressing. More should be done to protect sacred spaces from gun violence.
Dreams can be powerful, but we can’t justify violence through them.
Too many shootings lately, feels like a bad dream in itself.
Dream or not, those guns shouldn’t have been in his possession to begin with.
I don’t get how he accessed so many weapons. How do such loopholes exist in the system?
There’s a black market for everything. Regulations only go so far.
This evokes a larger discussion about societal pressure and mental anguish.
Absolutely. It’s crucial to create prevention measures before it’s too late.
Yes, and support systems need to be stronger.
Let’s focus on healing the community and supporting the victims’ families.
Repeated cycles of violence like this show that we aren’t doing enough as a society.