THE MAN accused of shooting a young boy in an incident that sparked a street blockade at a five-star Phuket beach handed himself in to the Governor of Phuket about noon today.
He was permitted to give an interview to some members of the media, then was escorted by police to an unknown destination.
The man said he chose to hand himself in to the Governor, Wichai Praisa-Nob, out of concern for his safety.
Ekawood Pipatratana, 34, owner of the Dr Com Electronic Center in Bang Tao, allegedly shot Amornthep ''Gaga'' Panya, aged 12, while playing with a handgun on Thursday.
Police at Cherng Talay station and at Phuket City police headquarters told Phuketwan this afternoon they had no knowledge of the whereabouts of Khun Ekawood.
A spokesperson at Provincial Hall said that after the incident, Khun Ekawood fled to Bangkok in his car with his young child to meet his wife.
He repeated the basic circumstances of the incident, in which he allegedly fired the gun twice while playing with three boys at the games shop.
The gun discharged harmlessly twice, but a bullet went into Nong Gaga's head the third time the gun was fired.
It is believed Khun Ekawood told the Governor and media that he panicked and put the boy in his car, intending to take him to hospital, but the boy died so he dumped the body near a tee-junction in Naithon.
By pure chance, a policeman who left his car to relieve himself chanced upon the body of the boy not long after.
Before that, the boy's young friends had called emergency hotlines twice to explain what had happened, to be greeted with disbelief.
Only when their parents relayed the circumstances of the tragedy did police react. By that time, Khun Ekawood was bound for Bangkok.
The family and friends of the dead boy organised a blockade in the nearby main street at Surin and said the action would continue until the shooter was arrested.
Later, after a visit by the governor, the blockaders agreed to give police a deadline of one week in which to find the man.
The Surin blockade was the second serious incident in which Phuket residents have taken to the streets to question the quality of local law enforcement officers this year.
The incidents pose a serious challenge for newly arrived island commander, Major General Pigad Thantipong, who was deputy commander of the Surat Thani police.
A third street blockade, unconnected with the Kamala or Surin incidents, took place earlier this year inside the Laguna Phuket resort sanctuary when unions protested about bonuses and pay.
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Latest Villagers have ended their protest blockade of a main road near Surin beach. The protest, over a fatal shooting, caused the postponement of a tourism summit nearby.
Blockade Ends: Police Given Arrest Deadline
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Postponed Phuket people are taking to the streets, getting proactive and shouting: ''Down with Low Season. Roll on Summer.'' It's a sign that change is on the way, and that's cool.
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Kamala Street Blockade Over Knife Fight
Blockade Photo Album A protest that blocked traffic in central Kamala on Phuket's west coast was triggered by unhappiness in the village over the aftermath of a fight between local youths.
Kamala Street Blockade Over Knife Fight
He was permitted to give an interview to some members of the media, then was escorted by police to an unknown destination.
The man said he chose to hand himself in to the Governor, Wichai Praisa-Nob, out of concern for his safety.
Ekawood Pipatratana, 34, owner of the Dr Com Electronic Center in Bang Tao, allegedly shot Amornthep ''Gaga'' Panya, aged 12, while playing with a handgun on Thursday.
Police at Cherng Talay station and at Phuket City police headquarters told Phuketwan this afternoon they had no knowledge of the whereabouts of Khun Ekawood.
A spokesperson at Provincial Hall said that after the incident, Khun Ekawood fled to Bangkok in his car with his young child to meet his wife.
He repeated the basic circumstances of the incident, in which he allegedly fired the gun twice while playing with three boys at the games shop.
The gun discharged harmlessly twice, but a bullet went into Nong Gaga's head the third time the gun was fired.
It is believed Khun Ekawood told the Governor and media that he panicked and put the boy in his car, intending to take him to hospital, but the boy died so he dumped the body near a tee-junction in Naithon.
By pure chance, a policeman who left his car to relieve himself chanced upon the body of the boy not long after.
Before that, the boy's young friends had called emergency hotlines twice to explain what had happened, to be greeted with disbelief.
Only when their parents relayed the circumstances of the tragedy did police react. By that time, Khun Ekawood was bound for Bangkok.
The family and friends of the dead boy organised a blockade in the nearby main street at Surin and said the action would continue until the shooter was arrested.
Later, after a visit by the governor, the blockaders agreed to give police a deadline of one week in which to find the man.
The Surin blockade was the second serious incident in which Phuket residents have taken to the streets to question the quality of local law enforcement officers this year.
The incidents pose a serious challenge for newly arrived island commander, Major General Pigad Thantipong, who was deputy commander of the Surat Thani police.
A third street blockade, unconnected with the Kamala or Surin incidents, took place earlier this year inside the Laguna Phuket resort sanctuary when unions protested about bonuses and pay.
Blockade Ends: Police Given Arrest Deadline
Latest Villagers have ended their protest blockade of a main road near Surin beach. The protest, over a fatal shooting, caused the postponement of a tourism summit nearby.
Blockade Ends: Police Given Arrest Deadline
'Endless Summer' Summit Meeting Postponed
Postponed Phuket people are taking to the streets, getting proactive and shouting: ''Down with Low Season. Roll on Summer.'' It's a sign that change is on the way, and that's cool.
'Endless Summer' as Phuket Goes to Market
Kamala Street Blockade Over Knife Fight
Blockade Photo Album A protest that blocked traffic in central Kamala on Phuket's west coast was triggered by unhappiness in the village over the aftermath of a fight between local youths.
Kamala Street Blockade Over Knife Fight
I am a firearms expert and a firearm cannot discharge harmlessly twice. It either fires a round or does not. Any firearms info or firearm forensics you need to know about, you may contact me.
Posted by Graham on April 24, 2009 16:21