Two killed, one wounded in Buri Ram gangland attack

Police and rescue workers are at the crime scene in Prakhon Chai district, Buri Ram, early Sunday. (Photo by Surachai Piragsa)

BURI RAM: Police are hunting for a group of gangsters on about 20 motorcycles for alleged involvement in a gun attack that killed two young men and a young woman in Prakhon Chai district early on Sunday.

Pol Col Sirichai Charoensiri, a Prakhon Chai police investigator, said the attack occurred at abut 1.15am between kilometre markers 21-22 on Buri Ram-Prakhon Chai road in tambon Salaeng Thon.

Found lying dead at the scene were Noraphat Iangtaram, 19, and Songkran Iamprakhon, 17, both of Prakhon Chai district.

Noraphat was shot three times in the body and once in the back of the head. Songkran had a gunshot wound to the neck.

A 20-year-old woman, Intira Koprakhon, of Ban Kruat district, was injured. She was admitted to Prakhon Chai Hospital.

A police investigation indicated that a group of about 20 young gang members had waited for the victims on their motorcycles at the intersection of Ban Takori. The three victims were returning on two motorcycles from the vintage car expo at the I-mobile stadium in Buri Ram town.

Gunshots were then fired from the group, hitting Songkran in the neck, killing him instantly. Noraphat, who was riding on another motorcycle with Ms Intira pillion riding, was also hit and killed. Ms Intira was injured.

Pol Col Nikom Chotitaweesak, the Prakhon Chai police chief, said the shooting was believed to have stemmed from a conflict between teenage gangs.

Police are hunting for the gang members, he said.