NAKHON SI THAMMARAT: A man suspected of murdering a rival in Phipun district of this southern province surrendered to police on Tuesday after being wounded in a brief firefight.
Police identified him as Kamthorn Phetploy, 50. They said he shot to death Pongsak Wong, 33, in front of a community mall at Moo 8 village in tambon Kathun on May 22.
After committing the alleged crime, Mr Khamthorn went into hiding in a rubber plantation on a mountain near the village.
With an arrest warrant issued by the Thung Song Court, police on Monday night launched a manhunt for Mr Kamthorn and laid siege to a hut in the rubber plantation where he was hiding.
Mr Kamthorn resisted arrest and opened fire at police, they said, triggering a brief gun battle in which he was shot in one leg. He then surrendered.
In a search of the hut, the police found in his possession a number of rifles and shotguns and some ammunition.
Mr Kamthorn was brought down to Phipun police station on Tuesday morning for questioning. He allegedly admitted to killing Pongsak because of a personal conflict.
He was initially charged with murder and illegal possession of firearms.