PHUKET: A policeman who had been at a party all night was arrested after firing random pistol shots on a street in Patong, wounding a noodle vendor, shortly before dawn on Tuesday.
Pol Col Sujin Nilbodi, the Patong police chief, said the shooting occurred in Soi Bang La in tambon Patong, Kathu district.
Witnesses told police investigators that Pol Cpl Pornthep Channarong arrived in Soi Bang La about 5.50am. He had been at a party for a transferred colleague and he appeared to be drunk.
The policeman, who was not in uniform, pulled out a CZ 9mm pistol and fired many random shots along the street. One of the bullets hit Aroon Thongplub, a noodle vendor who happened to be passing by.
Mr Aroon was admitted to Patong Hospital and then transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for treatment.
Pol Cpl Pornthep, who is attached to Provincial Police Region 8, was quickly detained by local Patong police. He denied having committed any offence, but nine spent pistol cartridges were found at the scene.
Police were investigating the shooting.
Pol Col Sujin said there was initially no evidence that Pol Cpl Pornthep and the wounded vendor had any prior conflict.