13 year old Thai boy fatally shoots friend over Yaba dispute (2025)

A 13 year old Thai boy surrendered to police after fatally shooting a 19 year old friend during a drug dispute in the Isaan province of Loei.

The fatal shooting occurred yesterday, April 6, in a forest near Ban Saraphae School in Chiang Khan district, Loei province. Officers from Chiang Khan Police Station discovered the lifeless body of the 19 year old man, identified as Auttaphon, at the scene. He was shot in the chest with a .22 firearm.

The 13 year old gunman remained at the scene and surrendered to the police. He handed over the weapon and cooperated fully with the legal proceedings.

The boy told officers that he and Auttaphon went to the forest to hunt birds. Auttaphon was carrying a methamphetamine pill, also known as Yaba, and he asked to share it.

Auttaphon refused, reportedly stating that the boy already took one pill. An argument ensued, escalating into a confrontation. The 13 year old claimed that Auttaphon attempted to attack him with a knife, prompting him to shoot in self-defence.

Relatives of Auttaphon told Channel 7 that he was raised by his grandfather and blind grandmother following the death of his parents 15 years ago. They acknowledged awareness of his drug use and said they repeatedly urged him to stop, but he ignored their pleas.

The grandmother of the young suspect revealed that the boy had been using drugs since the age of nine. He had dropped out of school and frequently asked her for money to buy Yaba.

She added that her grandson would often go on violent rampages and physically assault her when he could not afford the drug.

The gunman is facing three charges:

• Section 288 of the Criminal Law for intentional murder, which carries a penalty of death, life imprisonment, or 15 to 20 years’ imprisonment.
• Section 8 of the Act on Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearms, for carrying a firearm in a public place without a licence. The penalty is up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.
• Section 162 of the Narcotics Control Act, for using a Category 1 narcotic. The penalty is up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.

The boy is currently being held at the Loei Provincial Juvenile Observation and Protection Centre.

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