An argument at a bull stable led to the murder of two young men in Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, late on Monday night.
Rescue workers arrive to handle the body of Saravoot Nualplien at the rented bull stable in Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat, late Monday night. (Photo by Nujaree Raekrun)
The two victims were identified as Saravoot Nualplien from Kong Ra district of Phatthalung province and Theerayut Intharasuwan of Thungsong. Both were aged 19.
Police said the two teenagers had been watching television with four friends at a rented bull stable in Ban Khao Pridi village of Thung Song municipality.
About 11pm on Monday six men carrying guns arrived by car and a motorcycle. They ordered the six friends to stand up side by side and then accused them of acting arrogantly.
Without further warning, Saravoot and Theerayut were each shot in the head. Their four friends fled for their lives. The gunmen also left the place. Saravoot died instantly and Theerayut succumbed to his wound at a local hospital.
Police said Saravoot had rented the stable to house bulls owned by his uncle in Phatthalung ahead of the bullfights in Thung Song on Sept 23.
Two days previously he had quarrelled with a bull keeper at an adjacent rented stable who mistakenly thought Saravoot had cursed him. Witnesses said Saravoot actually shouted abuse at teenage motorcyclists who loudly revved their machines in front of his stable, annoying the bulls.
The argument had become loud and fierce, and included life threats.
The second victim, Theerayut, was not involved in the quarrel. He had just gone to the stable to visit his friend Saravoot on Monday night, police said.
Theerayut was a relative of Phuket assistant governor Phakphum Intharasuwan, a former district chief of Thung Song. The bull keeper who quarrelled with Saravoot worked for an influential village headman in Phipun district, Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Saravoot's friends were helping identify the gunmen, who would be tracked down, police said.