PHATTHALUNG — 25 May 2026, Armed youths on motorcycles opened fire at a local journalist and a group of residents outside a roadside restaurant in central Phatthalung, alarming residents and renewing concerns over rising gun violence in the southern province.
The shooting occurred at about 00:40 on 25 May at a mala restaurant on Phadung Don Yo Road in Muang district, police said.
Investigators said four youths travelling on two motorcycles, armed with two guns, targeted a table outside the restaurant where local journalist Nitikorn Udomsin, 26, was sitting with the shop owner, staff members and friends.
No injuries were reported.
Police officer Sukrit Songsaeng, the investigating officer on the case, inspected the scene after receiving reports of gunfire. Authorities recovered suspected bullet fragments and began reviewing CCTV footage to identify and track down the attackers.
Nitikorn said he and six others had been sitting outside the closed restaurant when two young men rode past and fired three shots into the air in front of the premises before leaving.
Believing the incident was over, the group remained at the scene.
Less than three minutes later, the youths allegedly returned with another motorcycle. One bike rode past the restaurant and stopped further ahead, while the second stopped nearby before the group opened fire towards the restaurant area, forcing those present to run inside for cover.
The gunmen fled immediately after the shooting.
The incident has heightened fears among residents, who say gun-related violence involving youths has become increasingly common in Phatthalung.
Residents pointed to a recent shooting on 22 May in which a 15-year-old was killed and another person seriously injured.
A 53-year-old neighbour, identified only as “Kung”, said she heard the initial gunshots and came outside to check whether anyone had been hurt, only to be forced to run for safety when the attackers returned.
“People don’t feel safe any more,” she said. “These youths are extremely brazen, shooting in the middle of town and coming back for a second attack as if they have no fear of the law.”
Residents called on police to swiftly arrest those responsible and strengthen public safety measures, warning that escalating youth violence in the province is increasingly threatening civilians and members of the media.
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