Police arrest 4 in deadly Songkran shooting

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Police have arrested four men accused of taking part in the killing of a 29-year-old Songkran reveler and injuring four others.

Region 2 police commander Lt. Gen. Punya Maamen announced the arrest of Nirut Khyan-ngan, 27; Marut Kongkhint, 25; Thawatchai Siridee; and Cherngchai Thongdeenok, 25.

Police said Nirut confessed to shooting Thongkhum Upbua of Pattaya with a single gunshot to the head at the Mac beer bar on Second Road just past midnight April 20.

Nirut Khyan-ngan and friends have been arrested for the murder of Thongkhum Upbua during Songkran. Nirut Khyan-ngan and friends have been arrested for the murder of Thongkhum Upbua during Songkran.

Witnesses reported Thongkhum was beset by a group of youths who beat him until he fell. Once on the ground, the victim was shot once in the temple by a pen gun.

Police said Nirut said he and the other suspects were celebrating the Thai New Year when they got into an argument with Upbua, who punched him. Nirut responded by allegedly shooting the dead man in the head and spraying bullets into a crowd of Upbua’s friends, injuring four others.

The attack and images of the youths were captured by closed-circuit television cameras.

Police said Nirut confessed to hiding out in Issan since the attack.