Thai ice cream vendor arrested after shooting rival over selling spot
Suspect says victim planned to hire attacker against him
Police arrested a Thai ice cream vendor for shooting a rival while she was riding her motorcycle in Prachin Buri province on Saturday, June 14.
Officers from Kabin Buri Police Station reported that the victim, a 47 year old woman named Phattanarin, was shot near the Sam Thahan Intersection in Kabin Buri district at around 8.30pm. She sustained a gunshot wound to her body but is currently in a stable condition.
Phattanarin told police that the gunman was a fellow ice cream vendor, 64 year old Sommai. The shooting followed a heated argument earlier that day, during which Sommai accused her of encroaching on his selling location. He reportedly threatened to shoot her and followed through on that threat.
A dashcam from a vehicle travelling behind Phattanarin’s motorcycle captured the moment of the attack. The footage shows her riding along the shoulder of the road when the suspect approached in a sedan.
A gunshot was heard, causing her motorcycle with sidecar to veer out of control and crash into the suspect’s car and a traffic railing. The gunman then sped away from the scene.
Based on information provided by the victim, police visited Sommai’s residence. He confessed to the crime but claimed he had discarded the gun by the roadside. He also admitted to purchasing the weapon from Cambodia several years ago.
In his statement to police, Sommai alleged that the conflict began when Phattanarin accused him of taking over her spot. He claimed they had argued on multiple occasions and that she had threatened to have him attacked, prompting him to act preemptively.
Sommai was remanded in custody at Kabin Buri Court yesterday, June 15. He faces two charges:
- Illegal possession of a firearm under Section 7 of the Act on Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, Fireworks, and Imitation Firearms, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 20,000 baht, or both.
- Attempted murder, punishable under Section 288 of the Criminal Code, with penalties ranging from 15 to 20 years’ imprisonment, life imprisonment, or the death penalty, though attempted murder carries half the punishment of a completed act.
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