24-9-2024 (PHUKET) A seemingly ordinary evening at the Ko Beng Baan Pon Market in Srisoonthorn, Phuket, took a dramatic turn last night when a heated argument between two local businessmen escalated into gunfire, leaving an unsuspecting ice delivery man injured.
The incident, which occurred at approximately 7:16 pm on 23rd September, has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community and raised concerns about public safety in local marketplaces.
Boonlod Phanthuphan, a 50-year-old ice delivery worker, found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time as he went about his routine duties. Caught in the crossfire of a dispute he had no part in, Phanthuphan sustained a gunshot wound to his right shoulder. Mercifully, the injury was not life-threatening, and he remained conscious as Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation rescue workers swiftly transported him to Thalang Hospital for treatment.
The altercation that led to this unfortunate event stemmed from a long-standing feud between Manas Kocharoenkit, 68, the owner of Ko Beng Baan Pon Market, and Kittisak Sotraksa, 64, a former headman of Tambon Srisoonthorn. Known locally as ‘Ko Beng’ and ‘Kamnan Piek’ respectively, the two men were once business partners before their relationship soured.
Sources close to the matter reveal that tensions had been simmering between the two for some time, exacerbated by Kittisak’s decision to open a rival market just a kilometre away from Manas’s establishment. The situation came to a head yesterday when Kittisak visited Ko Beng’s market, allegedly to entice vendors to relocate to his new venture.
This bold move apparently infuriated Manas, leading to a heated exchange that quickly spiralled out of control. In a moment of rage, Manas reportedly brandished a firearm, firing two shots in Kittisak’s direction. It was one of these bullets that went astray, striking the unfortunate Mr Phanthuphan.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, both Manas and Kittisak fled the scene, leaving behind a chaotic and panicked marketplace. However, in a surprising turn of events, Manas later surrendered himself to authorities at Thalang Police Station, where he remains in custody as investigations continue.
Local law enforcement officials have assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway. “We are taking this incident very seriously,” stated a spokesperson for the Thalang Police. “Our priority is to ensure the safety of our community and to bring those responsible to justice.”
