Phuket noise dispute turns violent with two injured in gunfire
A noise complaint at a rental property in Phuket Town erupted into violence, resulting in injuries to both the landlord and tenant after a gun was discharged during a scuffle. The incident unfolded yesterday, December 12, drawing attention to the ongoing tensions between the two parties.
Phuket City police responded to the disturbance on Phatthanakan Soi 2 around 5pm, yesterday, December 12. Emergency personnel from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation and Vachira Phuket Hospital attended the scene, where they discovered the injured landlord and tenant.
The 41 year old landlord, Soros Chitchiew, sustained a wound to his right eye socket, while the tenant, Phanupong Sae-Tae, known as Bank, was shot in the left leg. Both victims received immediate medical assistance before being transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further treatment.
Soros explained that the altercation began when he and his wife visited Room 5 to address complaints about excessive noise during nighttime hours. He noted that Phanupong had previously displayed threatening behaviour and had been asked to leave the premises on multiple occasions.
The situation escalated when Phanupong allegedly became aggressive, involving his relatives in the dispute. Soros, who legally owns a firearm, carried the weapon as a safety measure. During the confrontation, a struggle ensued over the gun, leading to its accidental discharge and injuring the tenant’s leg.
Suhaila Hawe, Soros’s wife, portrayed the tenant as troublesome, claiming other residents found him intimidating due to inappropriate actions, such as staring at women. She mentioned that their attempts to address the issues with Phanupong were met with hostility, culminating in the violent episode.
Phuket City Police Chief, Police Colonel Pratuang Phonmana, confirmed that law enforcement arrived within 10 minutes of the initial call and detained Soros. Preliminary findings suggest the incident was a spontaneous outburst from an escalating dispute.
Police confiscated four firearms from Soros’s home, including the 9mm Sig Sauer pistol used in the shooting. Police are currently verifying the registration status of all the firearms involved, reported The Phuket News.
The investigation continues, with officers examining evidence and taking statements from both parties to ascertain the full context of the altercation. Both Soros and Phanupong remain hospitalised, and legal charges are anticipated based on the investigation’s findings.
