Pattaya Police Officer Charged with Murder in 2026 Shooting

A senior investigator with the Royal Thai Police's Pattaya City Station stands accused of murder after fatally shooting a cannabis shop owner during a drunken confrontation behind Walking Street on April 19, 2026. The incident, which unfolded in the early morning hours, has prompted the country's top police commander to order an unsparing investigation into both criminal and disciplinary violations—extending scrutiny to the officer's chain of command.

Why This Matters:

• Criminal charges filed: The officer faces premeditated murder, public firearm discharge, and unlawful weapon possession—charges that carry severe prison terms.

• Immediate suspension: The accused has been removed from active duty pending the outcome of both criminal prosecution and internal review.

• Command accountability: Senior leadership, including the National Police Commissioner, has directed a probe into whether supervisors failed to enforce discipline, with penalties promised for any lapses.

• Tourism hub reputation: The shooting occurred near one of Thailand's most famous entertainment districts, raising concerns among residents and visitors about safety and police conduct.

The Shooting

The victim, 41-year-old Pattathorn Jirachokchaikul, owned a cannabis retail outlet at 104/3 off Walking Street. According to witness statements and security footage reviewed by investigators, the confrontation began when Pol Lt Jirasak Srikattanam—a 54-year-old deputy inspector known locally by the nickname "Major Joe"—arrived at the scene heavily intoxicated, brandishing a service handgun and threatening bystanders.

Pattathorn intervened in an attempt to defuse the situation. Closed-circuit television shows him trying to reason with the officer and, at one point, reaching for the weapon. Pol Lt Jirasak fired twice, striking the shop owner beneath the left rib cage. Paramedics transported Pattathorn to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Royal Thai Police took the officer into custody immediately. He was formally charged with intentional homicide, discharging a firearm in a public space, and carrying a weapon without lawful justification. Prosecutors are reviewing whether additional counts—including reckless endangerment of bystanders—should be added.

Command Response and Disciplinary Review

Pol Gen Kittirit Panphet, the National Police Commissioner, ordered an expedited review after receiving the initial incident report. He instructed Pol Col Anake Sathongyu, superintendent of the Pattaya City Police Station, to pursue maximum criminal penalties and to launch an internal disciplinary inquiry for serious misconduct.

Pol Col Anake confirmed that the suspect is an active member of the investigative division and was off duty at the time of the shooting. He emphasized that the officer's severe intoxication was documented by field sobriety assessments conducted at the scene. Under Royal Thai Police regulations, any officer found guilty of serious criminal charges while intoxicated faces automatic dismissal and forfeiture of pension benefits.

The commissioner's directive includes a provision to examine whether supervisors met their obligations under the force's accountability framework. If commanders are found to have ignored warning signs—such as prior alcohol-related incidents or complaints—they will face their own disciplinary proceedings, potentially including demotion or removal.

What This Means for Residents

For expatriates, long-term residents, and business owners in Pattaya, this case underscores ongoing tensions between the city's reputation as a tourist-friendly destination and persistent concerns about law enforcement professionalism. Walking Street and its surrounding blocks generate hundreds of millions of baht annually in tourism revenue, and high-profile violent crime—especially involving police—can deter visitors and depress property values.

Criminal cases involving active-duty officers who face serious charges supported by video evidence and multiple witnesses rarely result in acquittal. If convicted of premeditated murder, Pol Lt Jirasak could face a sentence ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty, though capital sentences are seldom carried out in practice.

Residents concerned about police misconduct can file complaints through the Royal Thai Police's dedicated channels, including the National Police Bureau's Public Complaints Center in Bangkok. The force has pledged to expedite reviews of grievances related to excessive force, corruption, and abuse of authority, with a 30-day response commitment for cases flagged as urgent.

Broader Context: Police Discipline in Pattaya

This is not the first time the Pattaya City Police Station has confronted allegations of serious misconduct. In recent years, the department has grappled with a series of high-profile scandals, including extortion schemes targeting foreign tourists and unauthorized revenue collection at traffic checkpoints.

In 2024, a traffic officer assigned to the station was dismissed and criminally charged after soliciting cash payments from Chinese nationals caught carrying electronic cigarettes—a violation of customs regulations that typically results in a fine, not on-the-spot extortion. That case prompted the National Police Commissioner at the time to transfer several senior commanders and implement a "Clean Station" initiative aimed at restoring public confidence.

The Clean Station policy, which Pol Col Anake reaffirmed in March, encompasses five pillars: physical facility maintenance, transparent investigations, courteous public service, strict adherence to traffic enforcement protocols, and zero tolerance for corruption. Stations are audited quarterly, and commanders whose units fail two consecutive reviews face reassignment.

Traffic enforcement has been another flashpoint. Joint operations between the Pattaya City Police and municipal traffic wardens have resulted in thousands of citations for red-light violations, unlicensed motorcycle operation, and improper helmet use. These enforcement operations have contributed to a documented 12% year-on-year reduction in serious injury accidents, according to Chonburi Province hospital data, though some community members have raised questions about enforcement consistency across different neighborhoods.

Previous Violent Crimes and Investigations

To provide context for understanding the pressure on Pattaya's police force, the department has been involved in investigating several serious murder cases in recent years. In 2025, investigators arrested a Chinese national at Suvarnabhumi Airport as he attempted to flee the country following an alleged killing. In 2023, police investigated the death of a 32-year-old woman discovered in a rental unit after several days. These cases, along with others, illustrate the challenges facing the station and the public scrutiny surrounding police investigations and conduct.

Legal and Social Implications

Thai law treats homicides committed by public officials as aggravating factors, meaning prosecutors can argue for enhanced sentences. The Criminal Procedure Code also permits victims' families to join criminal cases as co-plaintiffs, allowing them to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses—a right Pattathorn's relatives have indicated they intend to exercise.

The case has also reignited debate over firearm possession policies for off-duty officers. Current regulations allow most sworn personnel to carry service weapons at all times, though commanders may impose restrictions on individuals with documented alcohol or behavioral issues. Some police reform advocates suggest implementing a secure storage requirement that would mandate officers to check weapons into lockers at the end of each shift, a practice already in place at some provincial stations.

Pattaya's expatriate community, which includes thousands of retirees and remote workers from Europe, North America, and Australia, has expressed concern regarding this incident. Several resident associations have requested meetings with the Pattaya City Police superintendent to discuss enhanced accountability measures and clearer complaint procedures for non-Thai speakers.

Ongoing Investigation

As of today, Pol Lt Jirasak remains in custody at the Pattaya City Police Station detention facility, where he is being held separately from other detainees for security reasons. His attorney has not yet indicated whether the defense will contest the charges or seek a plea arrangement.

Prosecutors expect to file the indictment within 60 days, after which the case will proceed to Pattaya Provincial Court. Trial dates for murder cases typically occur within six to nine months of filing, though high-profile matters involving police defendants sometimes experience delays due to scheduling conflicts and media attention.

The National Police Commissioner has scheduled a follow-up briefing for senior commanders across the Chonburi Province jurisdiction, emphasizing that the force's credibility depends on swift, transparent action in cases of officer misconduct. Internal disciplinary proceedings, which operate on a separate timeline from criminal prosecution, are expected to conclude within 90 days.