The girl's father, Praiwal Thongyoy, 33, and his wife Kwanreun, 28, yesterday filed a complaint with the Pavena Foundation for Children and Women, fearing that their daughter Chanikorn's death would be in vain if the gunman walked free.

Praiwal told foundation president former MP Pavena Hongsakul that earlier this week he had argued with deputy village headman Opas On-ngern about why his family had not been included in a local charity handout. Praiwal alleged that Opas, his nephew-in-law, had scolded him, pointed a gun, and threatened to kill him.

Praiwal said that his daughter Chanikorn had rushed to him screaming: "Don't kill my dad!" just as Opas pulled the trigger.

The bullet went through her body and hit him in the left leg, Praiwal said.  The girl was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The grieving parents complained to Pavena because they feared the police investigation would not give them justice. Opas claimed that the gun was fired accidentally and, on Thursday, the police had taken Opas for the crime re-enactment without the family's presence.

Praiwal said Opas had sent him Bt10,000 in cash when he collected Chanikorn's body from the hospital, and another Bt10,000 on Friday for the girl's funeral, after which Opas promised to talk with the family.

Upon receiving the family's complaint, Pavena contacted the superintendent of the Tha Hin police station, Colonel Pongdech Patchareon.