Innocent Thai couple killed in shooting by military volunteer
A member of the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) opened fire at a restaurant in the southern province of Songkhla, killing an innocent Thai couple who were celebrating their son’s birthday.
The shooting occurred at a restaurant on Nuan Kaew Uthit Road in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla on the night of Sunday, December 22. The two victims, 48 year old Sittipong and 45 year old Orrachon, were killed at the scene, while three others, including their six year old daughter, were injured.
Sittipong and his wife, Orrachon, visited the restaurant with their six year old daughter and 12 year old son to celebrate the son’s birthday.
The gunman, 50 year old Akkaraphon, was reported to be a member of the Songkhla Provincial VDC. He visited the restaurant alone to dine and consume alcohol. At one point, he went outside to smoke, and a waiter mistakenly cleared his table, thinking he had left.
When Akkaraphon returned to find his table empty, he became enraged. He argued with the waiter and the restaurant owner before leaving in his car, only to return armed with a gun. He then began firing randomly into the restaurant, hitting the couple, their daughter, the restaurant owner, and another customer.
The couple’s six year old daughter and the restaurant owner, 46 year old Pawana sustained head injuries from the shooting. Another customer, 42 year old Suriya, was shot in the right arm. All three remain in a hospital receiving treatment.
Children orphaned
The 12 year old boy later told the media that he witnessed the argument between the gunman and the restaurant owner but his family had not been involved in the altercation.
After the fatal shooting, Akkaraphon escaped to his home and attempted to take his own life. Officers from Hat Yai Police Station, along with his family members, managed to persuade him to surrender at around midnight. He confessed to his crime and expressed remorse in front of the deceased couple’s family.
Channel 3 reported that the two children will be placed in the care of their relatives. They are expected to move from Songkhla to live in Phatthalung with their grandparents.
Akkaraphon faces four charges including:
- Section 288 of the Criminal Law for intentional murder. The punishment involves the death penalty, life imprisonment, or imprisonment of 15 to 20 years. He also faces charges of attempted murder.
- Section 376 of the Criminal Law: firing a gun without probable reason in a public place. Penalties include imprisonment of up to 10 days, a fine of up to 5,000 baht, or both.
- Section 8 of the Act on Firearms, Ammunition, Explosive, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearm: carrying a gun in a public place without necessary permission. Punishments include imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to 10,000 baht, or both.
