A man who allegedly killed two people and shot up a coronavirus field hospital in Pathum Thani has been arrested after fleeing the crime scenes to hide out in Ranong. An investigation is now underway to uncover the motive for the attacks.
They began early yesterday when the suspect, identified as Kawin Saengnilkul, 23, a former soldier, killed a 32-year-old worker at a 7-Eleven at Soi Lat Phrao 25 in Bangkok before travelling to a field hospital set up at the Princess Mother National Institute for Drug Abuse Treatment in Pathum Thani and killing a 54-year-old Covid-19 patient.
CCTV camera footage circulated online showed a man walking into a hospital in a combat jacket and a red beret brandishing a firearm.
After the shooting, the suspect fled to a relative's house in Ranong, where he was surrounded by police for several hours before finally surrendering.
above An image from CCTV footage showing Kawin Saengnilkul at the field hospital set up at the drug rehab facility in Pathum Thani.
He was then transferred to Phahol Yothin police station.
Pol Gen Suchart Theerasawat, deputy chief of the national police, said the gunman is charged with premeditated murder and carrying arms in a public place without sound justification.
Pol Gen Suchart said the suspect was too distressed to give information but admitted that he held a grudge against drug traffickers while he was serving in the army.
The suspect went to the field hospital thinking mistakenly it was a drug rehabilitation centre and started shooting at people, he said.
Police escort the gunman after he surrendered at his relative's home in Ranong province. (POLICE PHOTO)
The field hospital was set up to help treat Covid-19 patients.
It is not known why he killed a worker at the 7-11 first.
Mr Kawin reportedly served in a special warfare unit in Lop Buri, but was dismissed in November 2019.
He had volunteered to serve in the army because of his enthusiasm for weapons, police said.
Kitti Saengnilkul, the suspect's father, told police his son held a grudge against an army trainer who allegedly used drugs and physically assaulted him.
Mr Kitti said he warned his son against hurting innocent people.