Main Suspect in Five Pattaya-Area Killings
Some of the prior criminal history of the main suspect, Mr. Pong, in the brutal slaying of a Thai family of three and two Russian siblings near Pattaya has been revealed. Authorities and local residents are revisiting a 2018 shooting incident involving Mr. Pong, the main suspect and alleged ringleader of a group of criminals now connected to the high-profile recent murder case.
On August 4, 2026, reporters visited a row of shophouses located in Moo 8 in Hua Hin. The location was the scene of a late-night gun attack in early October 2018 carried out by Thana Pong Khongthong, then 35 or 36 years old. Pong opened fire into the shophouse with a handgun, seriously wounding one man.
Shophouse Owner Recalls the Attack
He was later arrested by officers from Hua Hin Police Station, convicted, imprisoned and served just over seven years for attempted murder. He was released in June of this year and has since been linked within just weeks of his release to the recent five killings that have shocked the public, drawing scrutiny and questions from netizens about any rehabilitation efforts during his prison time and risk assessments before his release.
Mrs. Tip, 65, the owner of the shophouse, described the night of the attack. “At about 11:00 p.m. gunfire erupted.” She said she stepped outside and shouted at the unknown shooter, “Why are you shooting at my house?” Only later, after the village headman and police arrived, did she learn the gunman was Pong, who was reportedly known to her as a local troublemaker.
She said he made no move to harm her at the time. She also said that she dared to confront him because she is a tough woman. In her own words, she said she is not afraid of or intimidated by anyone in her entire life.
Witness Describes the Dispute and Shooting
Mr. Tom, 38, who was present that night and is a senior acquaintance of the injured man, provided further details by phone. According to him, a 24-year-old man known as Bom rode a loud motorcycle past Pong in the soi. The loud noise offended Pong. Pong followed him to the shophouse and an argument broke out over the motorbike noise. The two men fought physically before separating, but Pong rode away.
However, 10 minutes later, Pong, still furious, returned on his own motorcycle and fired approximately five shots into the shophouse where Bom and others were staying. Everyone fled except Mrs. Tip. Roughly an hour later, around midnight, Pong returned again and when Bom stepped out, Pong fired two more rounds, striking him in the abdomen and causing serious injuries. Bom was rushed to Banglamung Hospital in critical condition but survived and returned to his home province afterwards.
Court Records Detail the Arrest and Firearms Case
Court records show Pattaya Provincial Court issued an arrest warrant on October 7, 2018, charging Pong with attempted murder and various firearms offenses. He was arrested on October 13, 2018. No firearm was ever recovered.
Pong admitted using a revolver and claimed he threw it into the sea. Police searched the area with divers and metal detectors but found nothing. Officers later suspected he may have hidden the weapon or given it to someone else, as there could have been fear that it was tied to other crimes.
Questions Over Pong’s Criminal History and Release
Pong completed his sentence as stated and was released in June 2026. Authorities are now examining his earlier violent history as part of the investigation into the recent killings. This was not Pong’s only prior violent incident or arrest, and he was arrested multiple times in the past on reported charges involving various firearm violence, rape and more, leading to questions by netizens about why he was released in what seems to be a short period of time as someone who also appears to be a habitual violent criminal.
Prison officials meanwhile said standard procedures were followed to the letter and that Pong served his sentence properly in regard to legal conditions set out by the Thai court system.
