KANCHANABURI: The owner of a motorcycle repair shop in Muang district of this western border province was shot dead by one of two thieves who broke into the shop early Sunday to steal motorcycle parts.
The incident took place at about 3.20am at the motorcycle repair shop in tambon Pak Phraek.
When police arrived, Apiphu Phannam, 35, the shop owner, was found lying dead in front of the shop. He had been shot in the right side of his rib cage with a shotgun. A knife was found near his body.
Pornladda Kakanik, 25, Aphiphu's girlfriend, said he had installed a security camera after thieves broke into the shop on the night of Oct 19 and stole a motorcycle wheel and a shock absorber.
Shortly after 3am on Sunday, while it was raining heavily, the security camera monitor showed two hooded thieves entering the shop and removing a shock absorber from a motorcycle which was under repair, said Ms Pornladda.
This prompted Aphiphu, armed only with a knife, to rush into the shop to confront the thieves. After a gunshot rang out, Ms Pornladda went into the shop herself and found Aphiphu had been shot. She called the police.
The security camera footage showed that one of the thieves fired the shot as soon as Aphiphu entered the shop.
Police were examining the footage for clues as they launched a manhunt.