Phuket murder suspect gets bail

KATHU, PHUKET: A Phuket taxi driver who allegedly shot and killed a man last week was released on bail the following day.

Two friends of the dead man were injured, one seriously, when the vehicle they used to rush him to hospital crashed on the way.

Thung Thong Police were notified of the crash on Phra Phuket Kaew Road at about 5am on March 30.

When they arrived, passers-by had already rushed the vehicle’s three occupants to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

One of them, 23-year-old Phattalung native Shan Reungkaew, later died in the hospital of injuries including a 9mm gunshot wound to the stomach.

The two others were identified as 25-year-old Krissana Srithavee and Ratree Kongsub, 21, both from Phattalung.

The pair told police Mr Shan’s killer was 44-year-old Patong taxi driver Ekawat Naunkaew, also from Phattalung.

They had visited Mr Ekawat at his Kathu home that night. As they stood at the doorstep Mr Ekawat shot Mr Shan in the abdomen, they told police.

Mr Ekawat had earlier argued with the victim over an alleged affair with Miss Ratree, they said.

The crash occurred as the three sped to the hospital in rain.

At about noon the following day Mr Ekawat turned himself in at Thung Thong Police Station where he denied charges of murder and possession of an illegal firearm, and refused to make a statement.

He was released after posting 500,000 baht bail.

— Sitthipong Nongkaew