Rage on the road turns fatal

PATONG: A hot-headed youth has been arrested after he shot and killed another man during an argument at a stoplight in Patong on Thursday morning.

The victim was 32-year-old Kamjon “Neng” Pungprom. He died from a single gunshot wound to his abdomen.

The shooting occurred at the three-way intersection along the new Phang Muang Road, not far from the Patong Municipality building, while the the victim and the assailant – both riding motorcycles – waited for the lights to change.

The assailant, 19-year-old Thaweewat Lamduanhawm, was arguing loudly and cussing at his live-in girl friend, who was riding pillion, when Mr Kamjon pulled up behind them.

Mr Kamjon took offense at the stream of abuse and confronted the foul-mouthed youth.

The two men began trading blows, but when Mr Kamjon got the better of the altercation, Thaweewat pulled out a 9mm pitol and shot Mr Kamjon.

Thaweewat then fled the scene with his girlfriend, but Kathu Police arrested him a few hours later.

Thaweewat, from Surin Province, worked at a karaoke bar in Patong. Apparently, he had been having a very bad morning, arguing with his girlfriend the entire time, when confronted by Mr Kamjon. Thaweewat told police that he had only intended to fire a warning shot to scare off Mr Kamjon and never intended to kill him.

At last report he was still in a holding cell at Kathu Police Station while the case against him was being compiled for Phuket Provincial Court.