PHUKET: A senior Government official foreshadowed a crackdown on guns on Phuket last night, saying that Phuket was an international tourist destination with too much violence.
Pheu Thai Party spokesman Phrompong Nopparit made his comments at a ceremony in Patong on Phuket's popular west coast soon after a man was shot dead near Patong in a land dispute.
''I will recommend to Prime Minister Yingluck (Shinawatra) and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm (Yoobamrung) that we try to reduce the presence of so many guns on Phuket,'' he said.
''After all, this is an international holiday destination. There are far too many shootings for an international holiday destination that generates so much income for Thailand.
''The only people on Phuket who should have guns are police and local authorities.''
His comments came as he oversaw a parade of Phuket police, Tourist Police and emergency services in Soi Bangla.
Last night's shooting death by two men on a motorcycle of Jakkrit Nutad, 45, in a land dispute north of Patong at Kalim beach followed the assassination of corruption-hating Phuket journalist Wisut ''Ae'' Tangwittayaporn in Phuket's main road on Thursday morning.
Khun Phrompong yesterday visited Freedom Beach, a secluded stretch of sand south of Patong that can only be reached by boat.
Khun Wisut was the first Phuket journalist to highlight irregularities regarding the title deed to a large tract of more than 60 rai fronting the beach.
Forty police are investigating his murder and a quick breakthrough in the investigation is anticipated.
One promising lead soured yesterday, though, when police discovered that the numberplate on the motorcycle ridden by Khun Wisut's killers turned out to be a hand-made fake number.
Security images of what took place - on video taken from camera nearby - were shot at too great a distance to reveal details of the gunman or his rider.
Pheu Thai Party spokesman Phrompong Nopparit made his comments at a ceremony in Patong on Phuket's popular west coast soon after a man was shot dead near Patong in a land dispute.
''I will recommend to Prime Minister Yingluck (Shinawatra) and Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm (Yoobamrung) that we try to reduce the presence of so many guns on Phuket,'' he said.
''After all, this is an international holiday destination. There are far too many shootings for an international holiday destination that generates so much income for Thailand.
''The only people on Phuket who should have guns are police and local authorities.''
His comments came as he oversaw a parade of Phuket police, Tourist Police and emergency services in Soi Bangla.
Last night's shooting death by two men on a motorcycle of Jakkrit Nutad, 45, in a land dispute north of Patong at Kalim beach followed the assassination of corruption-hating Phuket journalist Wisut ''Ae'' Tangwittayaporn in Phuket's main road on Thursday morning.
Khun Phrompong yesterday visited Freedom Beach, a secluded stretch of sand south of Patong that can only be reached by boat.
Khun Wisut was the first Phuket journalist to highlight irregularities regarding the title deed to a large tract of more than 60 rai fronting the beach.
Forty police are investigating his murder and a quick breakthrough in the investigation is anticipated.
One promising lead soured yesterday, though, when police discovered that the numberplate on the motorcycle ridden by Khun Wisut's killers turned out to be a hand-made fake number.
Security images of what took place - on video taken from camera nearby - were shot at too great a distance to reveal details of the gunman or his rider.
At the same time close all shooting ranges on the island, are they really needed?
Posted by Wyn on January 14, 2012 10:57