At 8:15 PM on September 3, 2025, Police Lieutenant Theerapat Jitmana, an investigator at the Aiyyerweng Police Station, received a report of a fatal shooting at the Ko San durian purchasing warehouse, located at kilometer marker 40 in Betong District, Yala Province. He reported the incident to his superiors and, along with other relevant officials, proceeded to the scene.
The scene was a large durian purchasing warehouse situated on Highway 410 (Yala-Betong), on the border between the Betong and Than To districts. Several pickup trucks were parked, having come to deliver durian, and the warehouse was filled with numerous employees, farmers, and traders selling their produce. At a purchasing table, authorities found the body of 68-year-old Prasert Kananurak, also known as "Ko San." He was wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt and black shorts and was found deceased in a plastic chair, having been shot once in the head with an unknown type of firearm. The bullet entered the side of his head and exited through his left eye.
Police immediately cordoned off the surrounding area, including the durian orchard adjacent to the warehouse, which is suspected to have been the sniper's vantage point. A review of surrounding CCTV footage revealed that as Ko San was seated, a single gunshot was heard. He then began bleeding from his head and died, amidst the screams of those present. Employees at the warehouse used a cloth to cover the body to prevent people from taking photos. After a preliminary examination by a doctor, the body was sent to Betong Hospital for a detailed autopsy.
Authorities are considering several potential motives, including a personal matter, a business conflict, or an incident staged by insurgent groups to create unrest. Officials will conduct detailed interrogations of the victim's relatives and close associates to determine the true motive and bring the perpetrator(s) to justice.
Notably, on August 16, the Ko San durian warehouse was visited by the Minister of Commerce, Jatuporn Buruspat, along with other senior officials from the ministry. Their visit was to monitor the durian market situation, management, and support for the Ministry of Commerce's policies, as well as to meet with private sector representatives and local farmers.
Yesterday morning (September 4), authorities deployed forces to re-examine the suspected sniper location in an effort to find shell casings.