Phuket

Drunk police officer shoots and beats vendor on Bangla Road in Phuket

Published

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 16:53

PHOTO: Nation TV

A Phuket police officer was caught on camera beating and shooting at a noodle vendor on Bangla Road in Patong, critically injuring the young man. Reports vary on exactly what happened before the shooting, but apparently the police officer had been drinking until nearly dawn this morning before the incident.

Surveillance camera footage shows the 25 year old vendor suddenly falling to the ground after being shot. The officer then walks up and shoots again at close range. It appears the second shot did not hit the vendor. The officer walks away, but then comes back, slaps the vendor in the face, picks the vendor up and shoves him over, and then kicks the vendor before walking away. The vendor, Aroon Thongplab, is being treated at Vachira Phuket Hospital’s intensive care unit for a gunshot wound in his stomach.

Phuket News and Nation Thailand report different scenarios before the shooting. According to Phuket News, witnesses say the officer was drunk and was trying to get into the popular nightclub Illusion, but the venue’s bouncer refused and blocked the club’s entrance because the officer was carrying a gun. Officer Pornthep Channarong then pointed his gun to the road and shot the 25 year old vendor who was walking by, reports say.

Nation Thailand reports that the officer was drinking at a pub on Bangla Road around 5:45am this morning and got in an argument with foreigners. He then stepped outside and shot in the air as a threat, but the bullet hit the noodle vendor.

Police arrived at the scene around 6am and confiscated a 9mm handgun, 9 bullet casings and 2 live bullets. They took Pornthep to the local police station for questioning, but Patong police chief Sujin Nilabodi says the statements made by the detained officer were confusing because Pornthep was still drunk.

SOURCES: Phuket News | Nation Thailand

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17 Comments

Somchai

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 5:40 pm

This is not an isolated incident with drunk cops and guns. This country needs a serious review on how it employs absolute cowboys in power, from the top down.

Reply
- Kim
  
  Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 8:06 pm
  
  This behavior is not exclusive to drunk coppers but the normal way of life. Too many wannabe big mafia types with weapons. Now with the increase in crime and drug use, expect it to become even worse.
  
  Reply
  - Lancev32
    
    Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8:09 am
    
    A criminal being a criminal is one thing, an LEO whos sole job is to protect and serve being a criminal is a whole different thing.
    
    Reply
- Toby Andrews
  
  Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 4:12 pm
  
  Actually Somchai cowboy cops are quite good.
  For example, Wild Bill Hickok. Wyatt Earp. Neil skinny Brown. The Lone Ranger.
  
  Reply
Ian

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 6:59 pm

I wonder what ij version is I’m sure he will say the cop was protecting himself from a noodle seller

Reply
Mr cynic

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 7:22 pm

Welcome to dodge.
How anybody in there right mind goes there for a holiday is beyond me.

Reply
Yan

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 8:13 pm

Official scum…

Reply
Jim kelly

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 8:29 pm

THE “BOYS IN BROWN!” There’s something else that’s the same colour.. it’s called SHIT!! Synchronicity I believe with the police uniform and the colour of shit!!!

Reply
Sanuk

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 9:16 pm

Seems like stories like these tend to occur much more in Phuket than the rest of the major tourist cities in Thailand, which is why I’ll never return to Phuket. Went there once in 2017, it was okay, but won’t be back. BKK, Pattaya, CM and the various islands near BKK and Pattaya are sufficient.

Reply
- James Pate
  
  Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 4:52 am
  
  Agree. It was quite fun in 2000. After my last trip in 2010, I said “Never again”. The long list of reasons would be superfluous.
  
  Reply
  - John_2
    
    Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10:28 am
    
    During the early to mid 2000’s Phuket once looked promising as a high rollers paradise… Err, not today.
    
    Reply
Issan John

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10:17 pm

Sounds like things in Phuket are getting back to normal already.

Reply
Toby Andrews

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 10:23 pm

Two days ago foreigners were arrested for selling alcohol, yet these Thai cants can drink at 5.45 in the morning!
And then a Thai copper shoots a vendor on the street. I doubt he will ever go to court.
Tourists shun this dangerous Thai rip off Phuket for ever.
They will not change.

Reply
Graham Walker

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8:08 am

Yeah, doesn’t appear to be any mention about the small fact that this BIB was still drinking and had a gun in his possession. Never ceases to amaze what people here in Thailand can get away with.

Reply
J West

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 11:19 am

“ Foreigners involved” , that explains everything! Drinking Lao Lao until 5:45 is justified by the cold temperature, an officer on the street , doing his duty, keeping an eye on things. Likely it was the “ foreigners” that started everything.

Reply
- Toby Andrews
  
  Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 3:32 pm
  
  Yes the noodle seller might have been Burmese.
  
  Reply
Jesus Monroe

Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 1:19 pm

Damn his noodles couldn’t of tasted that bad could they………

Reply

Caitlin Ashworth

Caitlin Ashworth is a writer from the United States who has lived in Thailand since 2018. She graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies in 2016. She was a reporter for the Daily Hampshire Gazette In Massachusetts. She also interned at the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia and Sarasota Herald-Tribune in Florida.

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