Man killed in drive-by shooting

PATONG: A young man was shot dead early yesterday morning in Loma Park by a motorcycle passenger in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity. Pol Lt Col Manop Kositanant, Deputy Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, named the victim as Vichit Srisangchai, 21, a worker in a Patong restaurant. He died from a single shot in the stomach from a 9mm gun. The victim’s four friends told police that they were drinking whisky together in the park, celebrating a recent lottery win by one of the group. A motorbike carrying three young men stopped near the group. One of the passengers fired three shots at them, then the motorbike roared away. K. Vichit was hit on the left side of his stomach. Friends rushed him to Patong Hospital, but he died just 20 minutes later. Col Manop said police believe the gunmen intended to kill someone else. “Before the killing, two groups of teenagers were fighting there, and it’s possible that one group came back and shot the wrong person,” he said. The police quickly located and pursued the three suspects, who were riding their motorbike toward Karon. When the suspects reached a curve, the driver lost control and the bike crashed. After being treated for their injuries at Patong Hospital, the three were taken to Kathu Police Station for questioning. The suspects were named as Amnard Decha, 29, Charat Pattanawong, 21, and Theerapong Khaoprasoot, 21, all from Nakhon Sri Thammarat. Police say they believe Charat was the gunman, but are continuing their investigation. All three were charged with conspiracy to murder and remain in custody at the Kathu Police Station jail.