Phuket police arrest teen gang suspects in shootings and attempted murder
The arrests were announced at 3:30pm yesterday (May 6) during a press conference at Wichit Police Station led by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum and Wichit Police Chief Pol Col Somsak…
Police in Phuket announced a series of arrests at 3:30pm on May 6 in a crackdown tied to shootings in Wichit and Kathu, including an attempted murder case at Laem Dinso viewpoint. The press conference at Wichit Police Station was led by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum and Wichit Police Chief Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang.
The operation followed a May 5 confrontation at Laem Dinso in Wichit, where gunmen opened fire, police said.
Firearms seizure and juvenile arrest warrants
Watcharachai Buachin, 18, was arrested on a charge of illegal possession of a firearm. Officers seized two homemade firearms, six magazines and ammunition, along with a box containing 24 spent .38-calibre shell casings.
Police said the weapons were linked to the Laem Dinso shooting. Investigators later arrested two juvenile suspects accused of carrying out the attack, identified as 17-year-old Yosakorn and 15-year-old Naphat, with their surnames withheld because they are minors.
Wichit Police obtained arrest warrants from the Juvenile Court on May 6 charging both with attempted murder and carrying firearms in a public place.
Kathu shooting probe expands to wider gang investigation
Investigators also widened the case to a separate shooting in Kathu on May 5, where shots were fired at a vehicle and caused damage. Two more teenage suspects, identified only as 15-year-old Pipat and 16-year-old Anutach, were arrested in connection with that case.
Police said the firearms used in the Kathu attack were also connected to an earlier illegal weapons case. Wichit Police are coordinating with Kathu Police on legal action against the pair.
Separately, 11 other juveniles aged 15 to 17 who were allegedly involved in a gathering at Cape Panwa in Wichit, but did not directly take part in the shooting, will face charges under the Child Protection Act. Forensic officers collected DNA samples and gunpowder residue from all suspects, and police said the evidence would be used with confessions and witness statements to pursue charges.
Source: https://www.thephuketnews.com/police-arrest-teen-gang-over-shootings-attempted-murder-100137.php
