Amulets save teenagers’ lives in Phatthalung shooting

Five teenagers narrowly escaped a terrifying encounter when four men on motorcycles pursued and fired shots at them. Despite the attack, the injuries sustained by two young women, sitting on the back of the motorbike, were minor, attributed to the protection of sacred amulets they wore.

The incident unfolded yesterday at approximately 10.30pm yesterday, November 13, in the Na Noth area, located in the Mueang district of Phatthalung province. Local police received a distress call reporting a shooting with injuries, prompting them to rush to the scene alongside the Na Noth municipal rescue team.

The confrontation occurred in front of a tyre repair shop, where police officers found two injured women. Identified as 18 year old Phornchanok and Benjawan, also 18, both sustained bruises and minor wounds from the gunfire. Phornchanok suffered a deeper wound on her heel, with a bullet lodged inside, necessitating urgent medical attention at Phatthalung Hospital.

“It’s miraculous and unbelievable that despite being fired at with a shotgun, the injuries were only superficial.”

Phornchanok’s boyfriend, 18 year old Thanabat, explained that he, along with his girlfriend, his brother, and two friends, had left their home in Ban Khai Thai, Mueang district, to celebrate a friend’s birthday in Ban Lameng, Khlong Chaloem subdistrict, Kong Ra district. As they approached the crime scene, two motorcycles, each carrying two men, approached them with headlights dimmed.

While pausing on the roadside to consult a GPS for directions, the two motorcycles, which had previously passed them, returned and opened fire, discharging two shots. The bullets struck Phornchanok and Benjawan, who were riding pillion. In a panic, the group fled the scene, covering a distance of 4 kilometres to seek help from locals.

Upon arrival at the hospital, doctors provided immediate care, confirming that the gunshot wounds were largely superficial bruises. Benjawan sustained a minor heel injury, which was not life-threatening.

Both Phornchanok and Benjawan attribute their miraculous escape to the protective power of sacred objects they carried. Phornchanok wore a talisman from Wat Chedi Ai Khai in Nakhon Si Thammarat, while Benjawan had an old 10-satang coin tied to her wrist. Their belief in these amulets’ protective properties is strong, leading them to feel that they have been shielded from greater harm.

The police are actively investigating the incident, working to identify and apprehend the four individuals involved in the attack. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, and officers are urging anyone with information to come forward to aid in the investigation, reported KhaoSod.