Conscript guns down 3 superiors
AN ARMY conscript based in Pattani yesterday shot dead three of his superiors and wounded three civilians after a dinner brawl before attempting to kill himself, an Army spokesman said.
Colonel Winthai Suvari said the Army had ordered an investigation into the incident, which took place at the provincial military command post in Nong Chik district.
Winthai said Private Thaweewate Sangmanee could have unravelled because of work-related distress.
He said that Army commander General Udomdej Sitabutr had issued a policy that required officers to monitor troop behaviour, and Army doctors had to keep tabs on the mental health of soldiers stationed in the far South.
Quoting eyewitnesses, Nong Chik police said Thaweewate was drinking with his superiors and civilians when a loud argument erupted.
Police said Thaweewate left briefly and returned with his service automatic rifle and opened fire. The three dead were non-commissioned officers.
The soldier then put the rifle in his mouth and fired, leaving himself gravely wounded. He is being treated at Yala General Hospital.
The three soldiers killed have been identified as Sgt-Major Sumit Pokphan, Lance Corporal Thongmuk Phil-on and Lance Corporal Chokeniphat Duangjampa.
Songkhal Hospital is treating two of the wounded civilians.
Its director Dr Preecha Wongsilarat said one of the wounded victims needed surgery to remove a bullet from the lung while the other was in a satisfactory condition.
There were no details about the other wounded man.
