Two flood officials shot dead
Two senior flood officials based in Loei, who were assigned to help with relief operations in Bangkok's Sai Mai area, were shot dead yesterday - allegedly by their drunk driver.
Thammanop Akkharaphin was found shot dead in Wat Nong Yai, where a Loei-based company of civilian defence volunteers was camped, while Suphat Phoothronsri, who was also shot shortly after, allegedly by Phitthayakhom Maneewong, succumbed on the way to a hospital.
Phitthayakhom has been taken into custody but was unable to give a statement to police because he was drunk. Quoting eyewitnesses, police said the suspect allegedly first shot Thammanop after a brawl. When onlookers gathered, he tried to divert their attention by saying the shooter had escaped.
However, local people scolded him, he became angry and opened fire on a group of fellow volunteers, hitting Suphat, who eventually succumbed.
Police said Phitthayakhom was often criticised by Thammanop for failing to do his duty as a driver assigned for relief operations. Possibly stressed by a long absence from his home in Loei, the suspect had been drinking. He allegedly shot Thammanop when he showed up and was about to criticise him again.
Meanwhile, a group of residents in Rattanakosin Bicentennial yesterday blocked a section of the Rangsit-Pathum Thani Road in protest against uncollected garbage and alleged demands for extra money by municipal collectors.
The rally resulted in a heavy traffic jam that stretched several kilometres for three hours, before municipality negotiators promised to collect the garbage straight away. The protesters later dispersed.
A 1.7-metre crocodile was killed in Ayutthaya province after a hunt. Villagers said it was the first to be spotted, and killed, while eight others were caught. It was among a large number of reptiles that escaped from a farm during the big flood, they said.
