Pattaya —
The investigation into the shooting of Pattaya-based journalist Natthapat Buncharee, who remains in critical condition at Chonburi Hospital, continues with the suspect in custody awaiting further interrogation.
First our previous story:
Now for our update:
On December 14th, 2023, Pattaya police delved deeper into the origin of the homemade shotgun and ammunition used in the incident. They revealed, after interrogating the shooter, Kwanchai “Peck” Pantong (32), that Kwanchai admitted to purchasing the weapon from a friend five months ago.
Still, the suspect insisted that he carried the weapon only for self-defense. However, this claim has been met with skepticism, particularly from Mr. Athipbodi Buncharee, the father of the victim and editor of “Athip Burapha, a local Thai newspaper and media outlet.
Mr. Athipbodi revealed that his son, Mr. Natthapat, underwent a 6-hour surgery and received blood transfusions at Chonburi Hospital on December 14th. While the doctor’s prognosis remains unclear, the doctors mentioning for Mr. Athipbodi to purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste for his son hinted a good sign for his recovery, Mr. Athipbodi said.
The father further revealed that he had been informed by the physicians that his son’s left eye would likely become blind due to the severe damage the shotgun blast caused to the bones around the eye and the cheek area. The status of his right eye, on the other hand, is still unclear.
Mr. Athipbodi is calling for A-type blood donations for his son. Apart from the medical concerns, Mr. Athipbodi posed several questions about the incident’s cause. The father was doubtful about the suspect’s self-defense narrative, urging authorities to conduct a thorough investigation, specifically focusing on the suspect’s friends present during the incident.
He also urged authorities to thoroughly checked the suspect’s mobile phone records, which he believed, may hold crucial clues to the real motive.
Similarly, Ms. Kornkamon Chaikham (28), the victim’s wife, strongly rejected the suspect’s version of events. She believed that her husband neither cut off the suspect’s motorbike nor provoked the shooting.
In the midst of her tears, Ms. Kornkamon also mentioned that her husband is the sole breadwinner because he supported not only her but also their two daughters, aged 7 and 3, as well as two other younger siblings. She emphasized that she has the responsibility of taking care of the children, and at this point, she hesitates to let them know about the situation because she fears the impact it might have on them. She could only convey to them that their father is sick at the hospital.
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