A Phuket tuk-tuk driver, wanted in relation to the shooting of a fellow driver, has handed himself into Patong police. The man, named only as 36 year old Mr Kosit, surrendered to Patong Police yesterday, September 5.
Kosit was wanted by police after allegedly shooting another tuk-tuk driver that he shared a taxi stand with in Patong. The shooting happened in the early hours of Sunday, September 3, near the intersection of the busy, Bangla Road and Rat U Thit 200 Road
The victim was taken to Patong Hospital with serious injuries as a result of gunshots to his abdomen and thigh. It’s understood the shooting was the culmination of an argument over customers.
Phuket Provincial Court subsequently issued an arrest warrant for Mr Kosit, who was accompanied by his lawyer when he presented himself at Patong Police Station yesterday. He is accused of attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, carrying a gun in public without proper reason, and opening fire in public.
According to the Phuket Express report, Kosit initially claimed he was attacked by the victim and his friend and that he had only fired the gun in self-defence. He has been remanded in custody and police plan to interview both him and the victim, as well as checking CCTV footage of the area.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express