PRACHIN BURI: A man was arrested on Saturday night in Kabin Buri district for shooting to death two men and injuring two others following an unsuccessful attempt to settle a personal dispute, police said.
Pol Col Manoj Kanklao, the Kabin Buri police chief, said Apinan Soma, 24, was arrested by police at about 11.50pm while he was hiding in a forest near Ko Daeng village in tambon Nonsi.
Mr Apinan fled after the shooting that occurred at about 6pm in front of the Makro shopping mall in tambon Muang Kao.
The police found in his possession a 9mm pistol and a hand grenade.
According to a police investigation, Mr Apinan went on a motorcycle to an area in front of a Makro superstore to meet four other men in an effort to settle their dispute.
The two sides had a heated argument and were unable to reach an agreement.
Mr Apinan said he heard one of the men on the other side make a verbal threat, saying the dispute would end in gunfire. Mr Apinan said he then took out his 9mm pistol and shot the four one after another, according to police.
Two of them were killed; Pongsathorn Khaendok, 21, from Kabin Buri district, was hit in the head, and Kittikrai Promchan, age not known, from Prachantakham district, was shot in the neck.
The two other men, identified only as Arm and Klod, were hit and injured.
After the shooting, Mr Apinan fled, leaving his motorcycle at the scene.
Mr Apinan was charged with intentional murder, having an unlicensed gun in possession,and carrying it in public without permission.
A re-enactment of the crime was to be carried out at the scene on Sunday morning.