CHAIYAPHUM: The headman of a village in Khon San district of this northeastern province opened fire with his handgun on Saturday, killing a man and injuring another, allegedly because he was angered by repeated requests by one of them to make him an assistant village chief.
Khon San police said the incident happened at about 5pm at a canal near Ban Non Charoen.
At the time, Arthit Chaemnonkhun, 41, the headman of Ban Non Charoen, and about five or six other people were holding a meeting to discuss a plan to build a dyke across the canal.
While taking a break, Charoen Charoenthin, 47, a villager who had earlier been tipped to be made an assistant village chief, repeatedly asked the headman when he would be officially appointed to the position. A heated exchange of words between Mr Arthit and Charoen followed.
Mr Arthit pulled out a 9mm pistol and shot Charoen in the back of his head, killing him instantly. He then turned the gun on Thuwanon Charoenthin, 41, Charoen's younger brother and an assistant headman of another village, and fired two shots, hitting Mr Thuwanon once in the right leg. Mr Thuwanon, who was injured, was admitted to Khon San Hospital.
Police arrived at the scene shortly afterward and arrested Mr Arthit.
Police said Mr Arthit initially told them that he became angry after Charoen repeatedly asked him about the position of assistant village headman although he had told him many times that he did not yet meet some prerequisites for the post.
Mr Arthit was inititally charged with murder, pending further investigation into the case, he said.
