A jealous golfer allegedly shot his love interest and killed another player in a fairway shooting yesterday in Thailand.
‘Obsessed’ suspect Nutthawat Donmon, 54, is believed to have driven up to his caddy Sroisuda Kham-ong, 35, on June 21 at the seventh hole and opened fire at Mae Klong Dam Golf Course in Kanchanaburi.
He then shot dead the player she was with, Kriangsak Chaiwanarom, 67, punching him in the back before driving away at low speed to the parking lot, still holding the gun as he drove the vehicle.
Both victims of the shooting were taken to hospital, but Chaiwanarom later died of his injuries. Sroisuda is stable and is being treated by medics.
Police are still searching for the fugitive Nutthawat. They said the shooting stemmed from a “love affair” between the suspected killer and the caddy.
The two victims of the shooting were taken to hospital, where Chaiwanarom later died
Authorities believe the horrific golf course rampage was motivated by a fit of jealousy
Image shows a caddy on the golf course in Thailand, with what appears to be a cordon around it
Police Colonel Sarawut Srisangworn, Superintendent of Tha Muang Police Station said: “The attack is believed to have been fueled by intense jealousy, as Sroisuda was friends with Kriangsak, and the pair often greeted each other when they met.”
Golf course staff said Nutthawat had often hired Sroisuda as his caddie because he was “obsessed” with her.
In recent days, they had expressed concern when they saw him visit the golf course without playing.
Instead, he appeared to have been watching someone, they said.
Workers added that on the day of the shooting, Sroisuda was escorting a group of golfers, including wealthy businessman Chaiwanarom, on the nine-hole course when Nutthawat rushed towards them in a rented golf cart, brandishing a gun.
He approached Sroisuda, shot her before pointing the gun at Chaiwanarom and shooting him in the back.
The caddy’s shocked friend, Somhop Khomsue, 63, said: ‘I had taken a break because I felt light-headed when I heard the gunshots.
“I later learned that Sroisuda and Kriangsak had been shot. It seems that her client had deliberately targeted them as he was simply ignoring the other players.
“He came to visit often and hired Sroisuda to guide him around the track because he was crazy about her.”
Nutthawat was seen leaving the golf cart and escaping in his Isuzu MU-7 SUV jeep.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Kriangsak Buapho of Tha Muang Police Station said they received a report of the attack at 4:30 pm.
They went to the scene with medics to investigate and found Sroisuda with gunshot wounds to her right shoulder and chest.
Kriangsak had a bullet to his chin and was unconscious.
Both were taken to Makarak Hospital, but Kriangsak died of his serious injuries hours later. His body will undergo a post-mortem examination.
Forensic crime officers said they also found seven shell casings at the scene.
Sroisuda Kham-ong, 35, (pictured) is said to be the love interest of the ‘obsessed’ golfer
The suspected gunman Donmon (pictured, green shorts) is said to have shot two in Kanchanaburi
Another image shows paramedics and police coming together to treat victims of the disaster
Kanchanaburi Provincial Police said they have obtained CCTV footage showing the vehicle moving from Nutthawat towards Samut Songkhram and later leaving Bang Khonthi district towards Bangkok.
Major General Pairoj Khumpai, commander of the Kanchanaburi Provincial Police, said: ‘The Kanchanaburi Provincial Court has issued an arrest warrant against Nutthawat on suspicion of attempted murder.
“We think he’s hiding somewhere in Samut Songkhram or Samut Prakan, where his family lives.”
Authorities said they were still tracing Nutthawat’s whereabouts after he turned off his phone.
Meanwhile, caddy Sroisuda was transferred to Photharam Hospital in Ratchaburi after her condition stabilised.