Pattaya car chase over Thai woman sparks gunfire
A dramatic car chase involving gunfire unfolded in Pattaya yesterday after a heated confrontation between two Thai men over a woman. Pattaya police responded to a report of the incident on Soi Khao Talo 5/1 at 11am, yesterday, October 3.
Police officers apprehended 34 year old Thosawat at the scene, who is suspected of firing shots. A .32 calibre revolver was confiscated from him. Another individual, 22 year old Sitthiporn, a friend of Thosawat and the driver of a grey Honda Civic involved in the chase, was detained. The Honda Civic showed significant front-end damage.
The other vehicle involved, a white Toyota Camry driven by 33 year old Thapakornkrit, also had noticeable damage on the front left side. A white Chevrolet pickup truck at the scene displayed a bullet hole in its rear.
Police reports indicate that the incident began when Thosawat and Sitthiporn visited a hotel, where Thosawat discovered his girlfriend in a room with Thapakornkrit. In a fit of rage, Thosawat assaulted Thapakornkrit, prompting him to flee.
As Thosawat and Sitthiporn left the hotel, Thapakornkrit’s friends blocked their exit with a pickup truck. In response, Thosawat allegedly fired his gun to clear a path, leading to the car chase and the eventual confrontation.
Thapakornkrit explained that the incident was a misunderstanding. The woman in the hotel room was allegedly his sister. He claimed to have visited her and, due to intoxication, fell asleep in the room with several other people.
Thosawat, upon entering the room and finding Thapakornkrit there, attacked him without hearing his explanation. Thapakornkrit then called his friends to intervene but was met with gunfire.
“I was just visiting my sister. When he found me there, he didn’t listen. He just attacked me.”
Both parties are now in custody for questioning. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the area, which captured the sound of multiple gunshots. The investigation continues, and charges will be filed based on the police findings, reported Pattaya News.
