Man held after bomb and shooting attack kills one, injures six others
Provincial Police Region 8 chief Pol Lt-General Thesa Siriwatho led forensic officers and an explosive ordnance disposal team yesterday to inspect the scene of a gun and explosives attack on Tuesday.
Police allege a Thai man launched the attack on his former wife’s relatives in Surat Thani’s Phun Pin district, which left one dead and six others injured.
The suspect – identified as former murder suspect Piya Sukijkhanon, 43 – will face four serious charges including premeditated murder, attempted murder, carrying a gun and explosives to a public area without permission, throwing bomb and firing a gun in a public place.
Piya’s aunt, La-or Khumyaem, 61, reportedly the target for the attack, told police that Piya was angry with the family over a land dispute and was afraid they would withdraw his bail release deposit for a separate murder case in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.
Piya launched the attack on a wholesale squid shop belonging to his ex-wife’s relatives resulting in the death of homeowner Manachai Khorkrua, 39, and injuries to six others. Those injured were six-month-pregnant Wanida Sornpichai, 43; Supakan Sukijkhanon, 26; Nopparat Muiheng; a boy named Bell Muiheng; and a Thai couple who happened to be at the house to buy squid, Thawil Pongsamran, 68; and Wannee Pongsamran, 65.
Piya, who was also injured in the blast, was nabbed after a two-hour stand-off. Witnesses said he tried to shoot himself, but a sharpshooter shot his hand and other officers rushed to get him. Piya is now in hospital under police surveillance.
