SURAT THANI -- Five people were slain in two separate incidents - a knife fight over drugs and a teenage gang shooting - early on Monday, police in this southern province said.
Pol Lt Col Prasit Kaewkim, an investigator of Khun Thale police station in Muang district, said the first incident occurred about 12.30am, when two men were stabbed to death at a house in tambon Khao Tok in Khiansa district.
They were identified as Nathawat Nuimai, 23, and Anusorn Chucheep, 23.
Police arrested Wae-asman Waenawae, 28, of Narathiwat's Waeng district, who admiited he was the killer but said he acted in self defence.
Mr Wae-asman said the two came to his house to collect 6,000 baht for drugs. Nathawat was threatening him with a knife, he said.
Mr Wae-asman said he snatched the knife from Nathawat and stabbed him twice in the back and then turned to stab Anusorn four times in the abdomen and the chest, killing both of them.
Shortly afterward, three teenagers -- Surachart Tolee, 18, Veerayut Tobai, 16, and Theerapong Tomad, 16 -- were shot dead on a road in Moo 4 village in tambon Tha Thong Mai in Kanchanadit district.
Police investigators said earlier on Sunday night the three youths had a quarrel with another group of youths in front of a tea shop. When they were travelling home later on a motorcycle, one of the youths followed them on another motorcycle and shot them dead.
Police were looking for the attacker.