Shootout at riverside BBQ kills 2 men, hurts 3 boys in Kanchanaburi

Shootout at riverside BBQ kills 2 men, hurts 3 boys in Kanchanaburi

Police and forensic officials found 36 bullet shells after a gunfight at the Ban Chuk Kraphrao sluice gate in Dan Makhamtei district of Kanchanaburi on Sunday. (Photo by Piyarach Chongcharoen)
Police and forensic officials found 36 bullet shells after a gunfight at the Ban Chuk Kraphrao sluice gate in Dan Makhamtei district of Kanchanaburi on Sunday. (Photo by Piyarach Chongcharoen)

KANCHANABURI: Visitors enjoying a riverside barbeque fled for cover for after two groups exchanged gunfire, ending in the death of two men and injuries to three boys caught in the crossfire. 36 bullet casings were recovered at the scene.

Police were alerted to the gunfight at the Ban Chuk Kraphrao sluice gate in Dan Makhamtei district at 10.30pm on Saturday. One man was killed on the spot and another found dead on Sunday morning.

Police said the dispute started when a group led by Phatchara Phuangklang went to ask another group, led by Khanchai Pradupsuk, to turn down their music.

The two groups exchanged words before police arrived, and apparently restored calm. 

But Khanchai and his friends left on their motorcycles. When they returned 30 minutes later, police said, Kanchai shot Phatchara, killing him instantly.

Phatchara's friends then returned fire, prompting other visitors in the area to run for cover.  Kanchai was shot and fell into the water. His body was found on Sunday morning. The remaining members of the feuding groups then fled the scene.  

The Ban Chuk Kraphrao sluice gate, controlling irrigation water from the Mae Klong River, is a popular picnic and barbeque location for residents of the district on weekends.

The Ban Chuk Kraphrao sluice gate on the Mae Klong River in Dan Makhamtei district in Kanchanaburi is a popular hangout on weekends. (Photo by Piyarach Chongcharoen)

A witness to the shooting said she and others ran for safety when the first shots rang out, and that the gunfire continued for almost five minutes.

Three boys aged 13-15 were caught in the crossfire and sent by rescuers to a hospital. It was unclear how seriously they were hurt.

Police and forensic experts returned to collect evidence at the sluice gate on Sunday.

Pol Capt Alongkorn Ouifuk, a duty officer at Dan Makhamtei police station, said they found 36 shells from 9mm bullets scattered in the area.

He said authorities are hunting for the remaining gunmen. 

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