Police identify victims of Phuket shootout

PATONG, PHUKET: Kathu Police have identified the man who died in a wild west-style gunfight that broke out at Patong Beach on Tuesday as 24-year-old Daruwat Burintarakot, nephew of the late Jintana Plaza heiress Komkai Kositkoon who was murdered in July last year.

Police have also released the names of the three men injured in the shootout, during which dozens of shots were fired and tourists along the busy road dove for cover.

They are former Police Captain Sunan Potsawatpairoj, 62, who was shot twice in the leg, Imron Yeebu, 35, who was shot in the chin, and Aod Ketkaew, 29, who was shot in the leg.

Police said the gunfight started in the burned out Jintana Shopping Plaza, which has been damaged by arson attacks at least five times in the past two years.

A police spokesman said it appeared Mr Daruwat, Mr Aod and a team of demolition workers had gone to the site intending to demolish the remains of the building.

Site caretaker Capt Sunan objected and an argument broke out, police said.

Capt Sunan then reportedly produced a pistol and shot Mr Danuwat and Mr Aod, sparking the gunfight.

A police spokesman said there was a long-running dispute regarding ownership of the Jintana Plaza land.

Kathu Police Superintendent Grissak Songmoonark said police recovered a number of bullets and spent cartridges from the scene.

Mr Daruwat’s widow and other family members went to Kathu Police Station yesterday morning to discuss the shootings with police investigators.

All three men who sustained gunshot wounds remain in Bangkok Phuket Hospital and have yet to be questioned by police, a source at the hospital told the Gazette this morning.

— Gazette Reporters