Confrontation at Phuket restaurant turns deadly, man gunned down

A man in Phuket was fatally shot while attempting to flee his attacker near Kathu Police Station yesterday, October 13 following a dispute between the two which had escalated to deadly levels.

The victim, identified as 38 year old Suwit “Lek” Nokket, was shot twice before trying to escape across the street towards the police station. Despite being rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital by Kusoldharm Foundation rescue officers, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

According to initial reports, the shooter fled in a white sedan with Phuket licence plates, heading towards Kathu Waterfall. Police pursued the vehicle, which was damaged near Phanason housing estate. During the chase, a passenger armed with a gun jumped out and was quickly apprehended by police.

The suspect, identified as 32 year old Thitiphong Thongyung, was arrested, but the driver of the vehicle managed to escape. A 9mm CZ semi-automatic pistol was found to have been used in the shooting.

Further investigations led to the discovery of the suspect’s abandoned vehicle at Kathu New Fresh Market, where forensic teams were called in to collect evidence.

Kathu Police Superintendent Police Colonel Rungrit Rattanaphakdi stated that the incident stemmed from a personal dispute between the two men, who had met at an Isan restaurant to resolve issues, but the confrontation escalated into violence.

Police have ruled out any drug-related motives and are continuing their search for the driver, reported Phuket News.

In related news, a factory supervisor shot and killed a co-worker outside their workplace, firing eight shots from a 9mm gun. The incident occurred around 6pm, October 3. Police and rescue workers were called to the scene in Don Hua Lo, Chon Buri province.

In other news, a dispute erupted at Bang Saen Beach in Chon Buri when a municipal officer ordered tourists to move for an ice delivery truck driving on the beach, claiming he was the mayor’s son. The incident sparked public outrage and led to a heated exchange.