Policeman killed in Phuket pub brawl

Rescue workers take a wounded police officer to hospital following a violent brawl involving law enforcers in front of a pub in Muang district of Phuket early Saturday. One officer died of gunshot wounds. (Photo by Achadtaya Chuenniran)

PHUKET- A police officer trying to intervene in a pub brawl between other policemen was shot dead and two other officers were wounded in Muang district early Saturday.

The shooting took place in front of a pub at Hua Saphan in tambon Talard Yai in Muang district, said police.

Pol Maj Gen Theerapol Thipcharoen, the Phuket police chief, led a team of police and forensic officers to the scene after being alerted at around 12.30am on Saturday.

They found Pol Sub Lt Thammarong Suwanchatree, attached to Muang police station, lying in a pool of blood. The officer, who had been shot in the chest and back, was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital.

Two more policemen were found injured at the scene. Pol Cpl Wongthorn Thep-aran, of Kathu police station, sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was inside his pickup truck with three bullet holes. Pol Snr Sgt Maj Nanthachai Phunoi, attached to the Phuket immigration police office, was found injured in front of the pub.

The three policemen were rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital, but Pol Sub Lt Thammarong was later pronounced dead.

An investigation found that the violence erupted after Pol Cpl Wongthorn and five police friends tried to enter the pub but were barred by Pol Snr Sgt Maj Nanthachai, who was helping with security at the venue, because the group did not carry any IDs.

A quarrel then started between the two men. Pol Cpl Wongthorn then walked back to his pickup, while Pol Snr Sgt Maj Nanthachai, carrying a machete, followed. Seeing the weapon, Pol Capt Wongthorn took his pistol from the pickup truck and fired one shot to threaten the guard. He forced Pol Snr Sgt Maj Nanthachai to lay down the machete before hitting him in the head with the gun.

Pol Sub Lt Thammarong, who was having a meal with police friends at a nearby food shop, heard the gunshot and saw Pol Snr Sgt Maj Nanthachai injured near the pickup truck. He immediately went to the vehicle and asked the attacker to come out and surrender, unaware that he was also a law enforcer.

Pol Cpl Wongthorn refused to come out and fired two shots at Pol Sub Lt Thammarong instead.

Pol Cpl Wongthorn, who was shot during an exchange of gunfire, and Pol Snr Sgt Maj Nanthachai, were held in police custody for legal action.