SONGKHLA: A fugitive army ranger has surrendered to face charges of shooting dead his wife and mother-in-law at their home in Saba Yoi district on Thursday night.
Sgt Maj Pheeraphat Onchart, 37, a ranger stationed in Yala’s Yaha district, turned himself in to his commander at the 47th Ranger Regiment on Monday.
He was then taken to Saba Yoi police station and formally charged, Pol Col Kongthap Senathip, chief of Sabai Yoi police, said on Tuesday.
Sgt Maj Pheeraphat allegedly shot dead his wife Chuthamas Sribang, 38, a kindergaten teacher, and her mother Riam Sribang, 58, at their house on Thursday night. His wife's younger sister was shot in the arm.
He fled in a Toyota car with Songkhla licence plates that was later found overturned off the side of the road in front of Wat Bayoi in Sabayoi district. He allegedly used an M16 rifle in stealing a local resident's motorcycle and continuing his escape.
Police said the fatal shooting was motivated by jealousy. He went to the house to see his wife and the couple had a heated quarrel.
After questioning, police would hand him over for trial in a military court, Pol Col Kongthap said.
Investigators pressed five counts against the suspect – premeditated murder, theft, illegal possession of firearms, carrying firearms without a permit and forcing or threatening people.
The suspect refused to be taken for a crime re-enactment.
Forensic police at the scene of Thursday night's triple shooting in Saba Yoi district, Songkhla, on Friday. (Photo: Assawin Pakkawan)