Shooting suspect becomes victim in apparent payback incident

0
1101

A 19-year-old arrested earlier this month for allegedly shooting a teenage couple after they left an all-night pub was shot himself in a case police suspect is payback.

Thanachart Chaichana suffered a single gunshot to the leg outside a Soi Nernplabwan 7-Eleven Oct. 23. He was treated at Banglamung Hospital.

Thanachart and three 17-year-olds were jailed Oct. 12 for allegedly shooting Nattapong Phon-guen, 19, and 17-year-old Nattawan Pathisarn who left around 7 a.m. from the Red & Blue pub on Thepprasit Soi 2. As they drove home, a rival gang of about seven teenagers pulled alongside and opened fire. They were released on bail.

Two other suspects – Peerapol Eeimsiriarirath, 20, and 18-year-old Jukarin Plugklin – remained at large after the shooting.

After being shot, however, Thanachart confessed that Peerapol was driving as they rode from Soi Nernplabwan toward Sukhumvit Road Oct. 23. As they did, two teens on a motorbike began following them and fired five shots, hitting Thanachart once.

Peerapol again fled before police could arrive and still remains at large.

Banglamung Police Superintendent Col. Thummanoon Mankhong said it is very likely the latest shooting was perpetrated by friends of the injured couple.

He said the shooters were identified from security camera footage and will be arrested soon.