UPDATE: Teen gang arrested after Patong shooting

A 17-year-old student from Ratchaburi was seriously injured in a shooting in Patong early on Saturday, 22 August 2026, police said. A second 15-year-old boy was also reportedly beaten and injured during the same attack.

Patong Police were alerted at about 1:35am to the incident on a footpath along Phra Baramee Road, at the northern end of Patong Beach. The shooting victim was identified as Teepakorn James Thongtha.

According to police, Teepakorn was sitting with about 10 people on the beach opposite a hotel when a group of about 20 people arrived on motorbikes and allegedly threatened the teenagers with a firearm. The group left after failing to find anyone, then returned and parked near the beach entrance.

Police said one suspect got off a motorbike, spoke briefly with Teepakorn and then shot him with a firearm of unknown type and calibre. The suspect fled towards Kathu. Several assailants also reportedly assaulted the 15-year-old boy before the group escaped.

Teepakorn was taken to Patong Hospital for treatment. Investigators examined the scene, questioned witnesses and collected photographs and other evidence. Patong Police also reviewed CCTV footage along the escape routes, including cameras operating under the Phuket Eyes surveillance project, according to reports.

The Phuket Express reported that authorities had identified the group involved as being from the Ket Ho area of Kathu. At a press conference on 24 August, Phuket Provincial Police Commander Pol Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum presented details of the arrests and police later reported that a teen gang had been arrested in connection with the shooting.

The follow-up report did not establish whether the individual suspected of firing the shot was among those detained. Police continued examining the suspects’ movements and any possible links to other incidents.