Two injured as vocational students shoot at their rivals

A 16-year-old student, who was hit in the stomach and right wrist, and a 61-year-old food vendor, Songsri Kaewchan, who was hit in the leg, were rushed to hospital. 

After the incident was reported, acting city police chief Pol Lt-General Sanit Mahathaworn led a team of investigators at 9am to inspect the scene near Soi Romklao Government Housing State 29 Yeak 7.

Witness Supachai Srimuang, 33, told police that the injured boy was among seven Bang Kapi Technology College students who fled in a song-taew truck as soon as they spotted their helmeted rivals on two motorcycles. Those riding pillion had shot at the fleeing students and two bullets hit the boy, who then took shelter inside a store. 

When the victim’s friends arrived on three motorcycles to help him, the attackers headed towards Chumchon Kheha Lat Krabang School and opened fire at those chasing them. That was when a stray bullet hit Songsri. 

Both groups then fled. 

Meanwhile, Pol Maj-General Thitirat Nonghanpithak, chief of the Central Investigation Bureau, said during the orientation of 76 recently appointed deputy chiefs and inspectors that the issue of student brawls needs to be urgently addressed. 

He said he has assigned Pol Colonel Torsak Sukwimon to lead a team of out of uniform commando police and other plain-clothed officers to patrol routes frequented by at-risk vocational students and seek cooperation from colleges, students and parents. 

Torsak said six companies of commandos will patrol six routes in Min Buri, Bang Kapi, Sukhumvit, Bang Na, Don Muang and Rangsit, while another team will speak to college executives to seek solutions and get students to adjust their attitude.