Cop on double murder charge
TWO PEOPLE died and five were injured, including fellow officers, after a policeman allegedly opened fire with his pistol during a brawl at a Koh Samui beer bar early yesterday morning.
Double murder suspect Pol Lance Corporal Narongsak Khamjai, of Bo Phud Police Station, was dismissed from the civil service following the incident, according to deputy police spokesman Pol Colonel Krisana Pattanacharoen, while five colleagues were transferred to inactive posts pending an internal investigation.
Narongsak’s friend, Pol Lance Corporal Jaresak Soisangwal, and bar security guard Kraisorn Mingsakul both died in hospital from gunshot wounds.
Initial police investigations found that the officers went out for a meal at the bar and were dancing in front of stage when they got into a fight with some young tourists around 2am. Bar security guards then intervened and told them to leave.
When Jaresak allegedly pulled out his pistol, the bar manager fought for the gun, resulting in a melee during which Narongsak allegedly opened fire with his Glock 19 pistol, hitting guards, fellow police officers and others.
Police investigators collected six spent bullets from the scene.
The five wounded were Pol Lance Corporals Sitthisak Ngamkhom and Krissana Boonyin, bar security guard Worawit Yimyong, bar manager Thepthinnakorn Thongphetch, and waiter Weerapong Jarusathien.
Narongsak, who was arrested after being identified on CCTV footage, faces charges of murder, attempted murder, carrying a gun in a built-up area without sound reason, and carrying a gun to a service establishment.
Surat Thani police chief Pol Maj-General Apichat Boonsriroj had also transferred five police colleagues involved in the incident – Sitthisak, Krissana, Pol Lance Corporals Wongsathorn Rattanachote and Prawit Reungpat, and Pol Corporal Narongdech Inthawong – to inactive posts pending a police panel probe, Krisana said.
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