PATTAYA: A former volunteer who reportedly once worked with multiple official agencies opened fire with a gun after claiming his pickup was surrounded by a group of intimidating youths, wounding a man with whom he allegedly had a prior dispute with before accidentally shooting himself in the leg, Pattaya police said. The incident happened early this morning outside a popular South Pattaya nightclub.
The shooting was reported at 2:36 a.m. on August 31st near an entertainment venue in South Pattaya. The name of the venue was withheld as it did not directly factor into the incident said police. Pol. Lt. Col. Chaowalit Suwannamanee, deputy superintendent of Pattaya City Police Station, received the call of a shooting involving a firearm and two injured people. He notified Pol. Col. Anek Srathongyu, the station superintendent, who dispatched investigators, Banglamung district officials and rescue volunteers from Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Pattaya.
Officers found a crowd of young people gathered at the scene and cleared bystanders. Two men were wounded.
Mongkhon, 30, reportedly a former volunteer with several official agencies, was shot in the right calf, with the bullet remaining lodged. Rescue workers treated him and took him to a local hospital. The second victim, Ratchaphon, known as Ball, 36, was shot in the left foot and also taken to a local hospital after first aid.
Mongkhon’s pickup had a bullet hole in the inner driver’s-side door. Police recovered a Glock 43 9mm pistol and ammunition as evidence.
His girlfriend, Atchara, 35, waited at the scene and told officers she did not know what the argument was about. She reportedly confirmed the pistol belonged to her boyfriend.
Witnesses said two groups of young people had argued inside the venue and were ejected by security. The man who later fired then drove the pickup out. Several shots followed. People nearby dropped to the ground, fearing stray bullets. Witnesses said they did not know the cause of the dispute.
Mongkhon told police he did not know who he was fighting. He said he left first, a group of youths surrounded his vehicle, and he drew the gun and fired to clear a path to escape in what he felt was self defense from an impending attack.
Ratchaphon, who was celebrating his birthday at the venue, gave a different account. He said he encountered Mongkhon, with whom he had a previous conflict. After an argument, Mongkhon’s group mixed with his. They followed one another outside. Mongkhon then drove out in the pickup and allegedly fired three shots from inside the vehicle, wounding him, Ratchaphon said.
Pol. Col. Anek ordered investigators and inquiry officers to detain the suspect with the firearm and review CCTV footage to establish what happened. He said anyone involved, volunteer or otherwise, would face the full legal process with no exceptions.
