Gangs war with “swords’ at Saphan Hin

SAPHAN HIN: Two gangs each of about 40 teenagers battled with long-bladed weapons, reported as swords, at Saphan Hin about 1 am on Sunday.

In the melee, a 16-year-old died after being struck down while riding his motorbike and a member of the same gang fled his attackers by jumping into Klong Bangyai, but with his right hand severed and his right ear nearly completely cut off.

Phuket City Police Investigator Lt Somchai Nuboon identified the dead youngster as Witthawat Pongsakote, 16. He was on a motorcycle trying to escape a rival gang when he was attacked and fell off his motorbike near Pramahachanok Bridge, across the road from Phuket Vocational College.

Critically wounded to the head, back and arms, he was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he died of blood loss.

A member of the same gang, Somboon Namkaew, 28, was also set upon. He managed to escape his attackers by jumping into Klong Bangyai, from which he was later lifted with great difficulty by Kusoldham Foundation rescue workers.

Somboon’s right hand was severed and his right ear was almost completely cut off. He is now being treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital, where he has been listed as “out of danger” by staff, Lt Somchai said.

“We already questioned Somboon’s fellow gang members and we know the identity of his attackers, who are members of an enemy gang,” he added.