Former town councilor shot in head

CHERNG TALAY, PHUKET: Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a former deputy mayor wanted for shooting another local politician in the head outside a mom-and-pop store last night.

Cherng Talay Police received a report of the shooting at about 9:30pm.

At the scene, outside a small grocery store on the road from Cherng Talay to Ban Don, they found the crumpled body of 46-year-old former town council member Manit “Ko Chuan” Faipetch, barely alive with a .38 caliber bullet wound at the base of one ear.

Witnesses told police that the victim had been drinking whiskey with former Cherng Talay Deputy Mayor Wiwat Doktien when an argument ensued.

An enraged Mr Wiwat allegedly drew a short-barreled .38 pistol and fired several times, hitting the victim once just below the the ear, police said.

Weapon still in hand, Mr Wiwat left the scene in his gold Honda Civic, police quoted witnesses as saying.

Kusoldharm Foundation workers rushed Mr Manit to Thalang Hospital for emergency treatment.

Police believe Mr Wiwat is still somewhere on the island.

A warrant for his arrest on attempted murder charges was issued by the Phuket Provincial Court at noon today.

— Siangtai Daily