Gunshots shatter the rhythm on Phuket’s Bangla Road boulevard
The heart of Phuket’s nightlife on Bangla Road was jolted awake early this morning with the sharp echo of gunshots ringing through the air. In the aftermath, the President of the Patong Entertainment Business Association (PEBA), Weerawit Krueasombat, swiftly took to social media to clarify the incident and dismiss the circulating rumours.
In a detailed Facebook update, Weerawit lambasted the reports circulating in the media, stating that they were filled with inaccuracies. Urging the business operators and patrons of the area to pay heed to his statement, he provided his account of the events that unfolded last night.
According to Weerawit, the mayhem was rooted in Soi Lao, a small street away from the hustle and bustle of Soi Bangla. Contrary to initial beliefs, the perpetrator was not an employee from Soi Bangla but a former tout who had been removed from his position by the authorities quite some time ago.
The drama unfurled when the former tout, after a considerable hiatus, returned to the scene armed with a revolver, possibly to settle an old score. The standoff culminated in a shooting spree, with the bullets finding their mark in a place not initially within their trajectory.
The unsuspecting victims of this violent episode were the employees of Pink Paradise, a popular spot in the vicinity. Five people were injured in the incident. Thankfully, all are reported to be safe now, added Weerawit.
In a show of swift action, authorities had the alleged perpetrator under arrest, thanks to the measures they had previously implemented in anticipation of the extended closing hours at 4am.
Weerawit’s post concluded with an appeal to all those in the area to align their narratives with the truth. He expressed concern that inaccurate information would harm the reputation of Soi Bangla. He ended his post with a note of gratitude, thanking everyone for their understanding, reported Phuket News.
Situated almost directly opposite the popular Soi Sea Dragon, Soi Lao is a small side street that links directly with Bangla Road. Despite its relative obscurity, the events of last night have catapulted this otherwise quiet alleyway into the limelight.
