Phuket man shot dead near airport junction; police investigate possible pursuit

A 32-year-old man was shot dead on Thepkrasattri Road in Thalang, Phuket, after two motorcyclists stopped near the new airport intersection, according to an initial police investigation.

Thalang Police received a report of the shooting at 8.21pm on 17 September 2026. Officers found Kittiphich Chinda, a private-company driver, dead beside his motorcycle near the underpass on the outbound side of the road in Thep Krasattri. He had been shot once in the right temple.

A black full-face helmet and a pool of blood were found nearby. Police also recovered one .30 Special-calibre cartridge case and sent it for examination as evidence. Forensic officials and a doctor were involved in the scene examination and post-mortem process.

Police said the victim had finished work at about 7.44pm and was travelling home to the Ban Mak Prok area in Mai Khao. A witness told investigators that the two parties had travelled from Muang Mai towards Tha Chatchai. At the scene, they stopped their motorcycles, after which the witness heard one gunshot and saw the victim collapse on his motorcycle.

Police believe the victim may have been followed before the shooting, but said the investigation was continuing to identify the perpetrator and establish the motive. Investigators are collecting evidence, reviewing CCTV footage along the route and pursuing the suspect.