Two dead, one injured in Patong shooting

PATONG: Two men were shot dead yesterday evening in a bar in the Royal Paradise complex on Rat-U-Tit Rd. A 16-year-old boy was severely injured by a stray bullet as he walked along the street outside. Pol Col Kokiat Wongworachart, Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, told the Gazette that Somkiat Nakwong, 25, and Somnuek Fahwan went to the bar together at about 8 pm. They had an argument during which Somkiat threw liquor in Somnuek’s face. Enraged, Somnuek went home to get a gun. When Somnuek returned to the bar, he called Somkiat outside. Somkiat slapped him in the face, whereupon Somnuek pulled the gun and shot him in the chest. The injured Somkiat ran back into the bar. Somnuek followed and shot him four more times. One of the bullets passed through Somnuek and struck Kriang Foitong, killing him. Another bullet went through Somkiat’s leg and struck 16-year-old Pongpet Chuchean in the shoulder as he walked along the pavement in front of the bar. Wittaya Jantana, the bar owner, took the three to Patong Hospital, where Kriang and Somkiat were declared dead upon arrival. Somnuek was later arrested and, police said, confessed to the shooting.