Police decline to investigate drive-by shooting until victims file complaint

PHUKET: Police will not investigate any further into a drive-by shooting that injured four people in Thalang early yesterday morning until the victims file a police complaint.

The shooting, a single shotgun blast, took place at about 1am in front of a house near the Tah Reua Shrine on Thepkrasattri Road in Koh Kaew.

“The victims told us that they had just come back from fishing at a palm garden on the street near the Isuzu dealership,” said Maj Kittiphum Tinthalang of the Thalang Police.

“They were dividing their catch among themselves when they suddenly heard the gunshot that injured them. They couldn’t see the suspect, but saw the taillight of a motorcycle that drove off,”

Kittisak Pongpan, 32, was injured in the arm, eyebrow and back; Detanan Pongpan, 38, was injured in the arm; Somjai Teeuthit, 49, in both legs, and Saijai Boonrat, 50, the only woman in the group, in the leg.

All four were treated and released from hospital.

“At this point, we have very little evidence to pursue an investigation – we don’t know how many suspects there are or what the motivation for the shooting was,” Maj Kittiphum told the Phuket Gazette.

“We guess that the victims may have fished frequently at the pond and angered the owner. However, it’s difficult for us to pursue the case because they have provided very little information.”

— Thawit Bilabdullar