Disabled man beaten to death

KOH KAEW: Police are seeking arrest warrants for two men wanted in connection with the murder of a disabled man that took place along Thepkrasattri Rd about 8:30 pm Sunday night.

Phuket City Police Duty Officer Pol Lt Theeradet Jiraksa, who is responsible for the investigation, identified the victim as 23-year-old Somchai Mingpijaan, an employee of the Michelin tire store on the bypass road.

Initial questioning of one eyewitness revealed that earlier that evening K. Somchai had been seen talking with a group of four or five men at a small table on the sidewalk of Thepkrasattri Rd, opposite the Isuzu showroom.

The men had been drinking beer, although police were unsure if K. Somchai was among those drinking.

A while later, an argument broke out and two men left the group on a single motorbike. The men returned later and hurled a beer bottle at K. Somchai then set upon him, beating him with heavy objects, the witness told police.

K. Somchai, who had the use of only one leg, was unable to flee his attackers, Lt Theeradet said.

About 20 minutes after receiving a report of the attack, police arrived with volunteer rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Foundation.

They found K. Somchai alive but unconscious amid scattered beer bottles. He was bleeding from the head and had bruises on his arms. He was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital, but died on the way.

Police still do not know the exact cause of death or what triggered the beating.

Only two of the men were involved in the attack, while two or three others looked on, the witness said.

Police said they know the identity of K. Somchai’s attackers, but declined to give their names until arrest warrants have been issued by the court. The two men knew the victim well and police expect to arrest them soon, added Lt Theeradet.