A 23-year-old man was arrested yesterday in connection with the drive-by shooting of a Nai Yang Beach food vendor last Thursday.
Sakoo police identified Porwarut Thepabuth as the suspect wanted in connection with the shooting of beach vendor Chayan Srinuan, 23, who was shot following an altercation last Thursday, and arrested him at his home in Moo 1 Sakoo.
He was found to be in possession of a homemade gun.
Chayan was shot once in his lower left torso in last Thursday’s incident and the bullet exited near his genitals police were told.
The man is still at Vachira Hospital where he is recovering from his injuries.
After his arrest, Porwarut admitted to the shooting and gave police a homemade gun containing .38 bullets. Police also seized his motorbike.
Whilst in custody, Porwarut told police that he was heading along the new airport road on his way to join the Vegetarian Festival procession from Bang Neow Shrine.
“It was raining so I decided to drive down the road the wrong way and almost collided with Chayan. He cursed me, I got angry and turned around and shot him once before driving away,” he said.
Sakoo Police Chief Col Jirasak Siamsak said, “We were told that Chayan was riding a motorbike on the new airport road with his 10-year-old nephew when a Honda Scoopy came towards him and almost collided.
“Chayan was upset over the incident so he yelled at the driver and his passenger (a woman), they exchanged some abusive words. The Honda driver then made a U-turn and shot Chayan before speeding away,” he said.
“I had my team check CCTV from the suspect’s escape route and questioned witnesses. This led to the arrest of Porwarut who was found hiding in a house in Moo 1 in Sakoo with his girlfriend.
“Porwarut has been charged with carrying a firearm and ammunition into public place. We are still gathering information to see whether he will also be charged with attempted murder.
“As far as we understand, his girlfriend had no involvement in the shooting so she faces no charges at present,” he added.
Story: The Phuket News
