Police have sought an arrest warrant for an army private accused of killing a man after firing his M16 rifle at a passing car in Chiang Rai's Mae Suai district last week.
Mae Suai police yesterday lodged the request with the 31st Military Circle Court for the arrest of Pvt Wanchai Jampa, who is attached to the 17th Infantry Regiment.
The suspect has been charged with murder, attempted murder and using a firearm in a public area.
Pol Col Weerayut Prasobchokchai, deputy chief of the Chiang Rai Provincial Police, said Pvt Wanchai confessed to firing at a car as it passed a security checkpoint in Ban Mae Tham in tambon Tha Ko on the night of Jan 2.
A bullet hit the driver, Sornchai Sathitrakdamrong, 35, in the head killing him.
Forensic tests later showed the bullet was fired from an M16 rifle.
Police later impounded six guns including an M16 rifle from 14 individuals -- three soldiers and 11 assistants, including village chiefs and police volunteers -- stationed at the checkpoint.
Songkran Achariyasap, representing the victim's family, said he had CCTV camera footage capturing the incident.
The clip showed a group of at least five men in green outfits, believed to be military uniforms, and another group of six to eight men in civilian clothes at the checkpoint.
However, Pvt Wanchai was not seen in the clip, the lawyer said, adding he would submit the footage to deputy police chief Pol Gen Srivara Ransibrahmanakul.
Police said there was enough evidence to charge Pvt Wanchai.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday insisted that despite being a serving soldier, legal action would be taken against the suspect.
Army chief Chalermchai Sitthisad said the victim might have failed to stop at the checkpoint, forcing the soldier to open fire.