10-12-2024 (BANGKOK) Former political heavyweight Sakda Noppasith is battling for survival in hospital after a brazen shooting at a local eatery in the early hours of Tuesday morning, authorities have confirmed.
The 61-year-old veteran politician was struck by a single bullet that entered his abdomen and exited through his back at approximately 5:30 AM in Samet subdistrict’s restaurant precinct. Emergency services rushed Mr Noppasith to Chonburi Hospital, where he remains in critical condition.
Investigating officers discovered a spent 9mm shell casing at the scene, alongside several live rounds believed to have been inadvertently ejected due to a weapon malfunction. The assailant fled immediately after the attack, prompting an extensive review of local CCTV footage by law enforcement.
Mr Noppasith’s political career spans multiple decades and parties. He previously served as secretary to the Natural Resources and Environment Minister from 2018 to 2021 and held spokesman positions with both the Pheu Thai Party and For The Nation Party. He is also the father of current People’s Party MP Wannida Noppasith, who represents Chonburi’s 2nd constituency.
His political journey included unsuccessful bids for parliament under the Democrat Party banner in 2001 and 2005. As a prominent member of the Red Shirt movement, he faced legal consequences for his involvement in the 2009 ASEAN Summit protests in Pattaya, serving prison time before his 2018 release.
Detective Chief Inspector Somchai Thongkam told reporters, “We are pursuing all possible leads and examining potential motives. At this stage, it would be premature to speculate on whether this was politically motivated or stemmed from personal disputes.”
