Nirut Khyan-ngan and
friends have been arrested for the murder of Thongkhum Upbua during
Songkran.
Boonlua Chatree
Police have arrested four men accused of taking part
in the killing of a 29-year-old Songkran reveler and injuring four
others.
Region 2 police commander Lt. Gen. Punya Maamen
announced the arrest of Nirut Khyan-ngan, 27; Marut Kongkhint, 25;
Thawatchai Siridee; and Cherngchai Thongdeenok, 25.
Police said Nirut confessed to shooting Thongkhum
Upbua of Pattaya with a single gunshot to the head at the Mac beer bar
on Second Road just past midnight April 20.
Witnesses reported Thongkhum was beset by a group of
youths who beat him until he fell. Once on the ground, the victim was
shot once in the temple by a pen gun.
Police said Nirut said he and the other suspects were
celebrating the Thai New Year when they got into an argument with Upbua,
who punched him. Nirut responded by allegedly shooting the dead man in
the head and spraying bullets into a crowd of Upbua’s friends, injuring
four others.
The attack and images of the youths were captured by
closed-circuit television cameras.
Police said Nirut confessed to hiding out in Issan
since the attack.
