A passerby delivering ice cream was injured by a ricochet bullet during an argument with two other men at Koh Ben Bang Pong market in Sri Soonthong last night (September 23).
Thalang police were dispatched to the market at 7.16pm.
The victim, 50-year-old Boonrod Phanthuphan, was shot in the right shoulder while delivering ice cream.
Fortunately, his injuries were not too serious and he was conscious when rescue workers from the Phuket Kusuldarum Foundation took him to Thalang Hospital for treatment.
Initial reports said the dispute involved market owner Manas Kocharoenkit, also known as “Koh Ben”, 68, and Kittisak Sotraksa or “Kamnan Piek”, 64, a former chief of tambon Sri Soonthong. The two men were previously business partners but fell out and Kamnan Piek opened a new market about one kilometre away.
Yesterday, Kittisak visited Ben Koh market and called on traders to relocate to the new market, sparking a dispute.
In a fit of anger, Manas pulled out a gun and threatened Kittisak. Two shots were fired, one of which hit Boonrod instead.
After the shooting, Manas and Kittisak fled the scene. However, Manas later turned himself in at Thalang Police Station and is currently in custody.
Police said an investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
