An off-duty policeman allegedly shot dead one taxi motorcyclist and wounded two others during an argument over a fare, in Bangkok's Din Daeng district early Sunday morning.
The shooting rampage at the entrance to soi Pracha Songkroh 38 was reported to Huai Khwang police about 2.50am.
At the scene, officers found taxi motorcyclist Purit Mangthisan, 37, lying dead with several bullet wounds in his back and exit wounds in his chest. The victim’s body lay face up in a pool of blood.
Two other riders were wounded. Kiatisak Srirat, 46, was shot once in his thigh and Charin Khunarak, 48, had bullet wounds in his thigh and hand. They were taken to separate hospitals.
Eyewitnesses said the shooter was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and short jeans with a black shoulder bag. He approached a group of taxi motorcyclists who were relaxing. The two sides began to quarrel and the man in black drew out a pistol and fired multiple shots at the motorcyclists.
A man later surrendered at Makkasan police station. He was identified as Pol L/C Namthap Pakwatana, 33, a border patrol policeman. He handed in his 9mm SIG Sauer service weapon and magazine.
Pol L/C Namthap allegedly told Makkasan police the shooting arose from a conflict over a fare. He alleged the taxi motorcyclists assaulted him first and he fired his gun in self defence.
Surveillance camera footage confirmed that two taxi motorcyclists had begun assaulting him before the shots were fired, investigators said.
A relative told police the dispute stemmed from an inflated fare the suspect was charged for a trip to his house in Makkasan area. The relative said Pol L/C Namthap had a mental condition and took prescribed medicine.
The police invesigation was continuing.
