A CAR rushing a shot man to hospital overtuned close to Phuket City, complicating a saga of a falling-out between friends that left a taxi driver on the run.

Chao Rumbeaw, 23, was shot after he and his friends, Ratree Kongsub, 21, and Gissana Sritavee, 25, went to confront a Patong taxi driver, Khun ''Wat,'' at his home close to the west coast holiday town.

The three arrived at Khun Wat's home about 2am on Tuesday, said Colonel Chana Suttimas of Tung Tong Police Station. The argument centred on Khun Ratree, he said.

A shot rang out and Khun Chao fell to the ground, the colonel said. The wounded man was bundled into a car.

As the car took a turn in the road between Patong and Phuket City, bound for Vachira Hospital, the driver lost control and the vehicle overturned.

Passing motorists bundled the three into other vehicles, and took them to hospital, where Khun Chao died about 5am.

At noon on Wednesday, Khun Wat gave himself up to police at Tung Tong station. Because he surrendered and has a home on the island, Khun Wat was permitted bail of 500,000 baht on charges over the shooting and possession of an illegal weapon.

Khun Gissana remains in Vachira.