Shooting on Phuket bus injures 2, police surrounding gunman still in the vehicle

Police on Friday morning shut down a road in Phuket to surround a bus where a gunman opened fire on passengers. Photo: Phuket Information Center
Police on Friday morning shut down a road in Phuket to surround a bus where a gunman opened fire on passengers. Photo: Phuket Information Center

At least two people were injured this morning after a gunman opened fire inside a bus traveling from Phuket to another province.

At around 7am on Friday, police were alerted that a man, later identified as 24-year-old Nawin Chuaikliang, shot passengers inside a bus in Phuket.

Nawin was reported to be a former military man. 

Two passengers – a man and a woman – suffered gunshot wounds. They were sent to a hospital for treatment, according to Col. Suchart Mheelampong of the Phuket Police. 

The bus, painted in pink and white, was en route from Phuket to Phatthalung province. It was traveling along Thep Krasattri Road in Phuket city when Nawin, who was already on the bus, started shooting at passengers. 

The bus driver, Somyot Buakaew, told police that he then parked the bus and got off along with other passengers to flee the scene. 

At around 10am, the Phuket Police and SWAT team shut down the road and surrounded the bus to capture Nawin, who still remained inside. 

After hours-long negotiation, police shot tear gas into the bus. They entered the bus and found the body of Nawin, who had turned the gun on himself.

Photos: Phuket Information Center




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