A Border Patrol Police officer has surrendered after allegedly opening fire on a group of motorcycle taxi drivers in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang area, leaving one man dead and two others injured.
The shooting took place at around 2:50am on Sunday, June 14 near a motorcycle taxi stand in front of Kiattithongchai Market, close to the entrance of Prachasongkhro 38 Alley in Din Daeng district.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Phin Mekpaiboon, an investigating officer at Huai Khwang Police Station, was notified of the incident and led officers to the scene.
When police arrived, they found the body of 37-year-old Purit Mangthisan lying on the pavement in a pool of blood.
He was wearing a black short-sleeved T-shirt, black trousers, and an orange motorcycle taxi vest marked with the number 12.
Initial checks found that he had suffered around three to four gunshot wounds. The bullets appeared to have entered through his back and exited through his chest.
Two other motorcycle taxi drivers were also injured in the shooting.
They were identified as Kiattisak Srirat, 46, who was shot in the thigh, and Charin Khunaruk, 48, who sustained gunshot wounds to his right thigh and left hand.
The injured men were taken to Charoenkrung Pracharak Hospital and Phyathai Phahon Yothin Hospital for treatment.
According to witnesses, the victim and other motorcycle taxi drivers had been resting at the stand when the suspect approached and allegedly started a confrontation.
The argument quickly escalated into a physical altercation before the suspect reportedly pulled out a gun and fired several shots at the group.
After the shooting, the suspect fled the scene. He was described as a young man wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, denim shorts, and carrying a black shoulder bag.
Police later received information that the suspect had turned himself in at Makkasan Police Station.
He was identified as Police Sergeant Major Namthap Phakwattana, 33, an officer attached to the Border Patrol Police Division.
Authorities said he surrendered with a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol and a magazine loaded with ammunition, which were seized as evidence.
During questioning, the suspect reportedly admitted that the shooting followed a dispute over motorcycle taxi fares, which later turned into a fight.
He allegedly told police that he fired at the group before escaping the area by taxi.
The suspect remains in police custody for further questioning as officers prepare legal proceedings.
