Krabi: An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr. Wivat, known as 'Bang En', following a fatal shooting incident in Koh Lanta Noi Subdistrict, Krabi Province. Mr. Wivat, 41, is accused of shooting Mr. Apiwat, 37, and his 1-year-old daughter, leading to their deaths, and injuring Mr. Apiwat's wife, Ms. Sudarat, in the right arm. The motive for the shooting is believed to be linked to a dispute over two golden parrots.
According to Thai News Agency, police have questioned Ms. Ya, the mother of the suspect, who explained that the motive stemmed from two golden parrots, valued at 8,000 baht, which her son had purchased. These parrots disappeared, and it was alleged that the deceased had taken them. This led to a confrontation between the parties. On the day of the incident, Ms. Ya urged her son to surrender to the authorities if he was following the news.
Ms. Marie, the suspect's sister, confirmed that the conflict originated from the parrots and previous tensions. She recounted how her brother had initially attempted to resolve the issue amicably, but things escalated following a heated exchange. On the day of the shooting, she described hearing gunshots and witnessing her brother apologizing to their mother before leaving the scene on a motorcycle.
Following the incident, authorities launched a search operation, involving over 100 officers, to locate Mr. Wivat, eventually discovering his abandoned motorcycle in a palm plantation. The search area is extensive, and it remains uncertain if Mr. Wivat is still on Koh Lanta, though officers continue their efforts, believing he hasn't traveled far.
The Krabi Provincial Court has approved an arrest warrant for Mr. Wivat on charges of premeditated murder, attempted murder, illegal possession of firearms, and carrying firearms in public without permission. Mr. Wivat has a previous conviction for assault resulting in death in 2014, for which he served an 8-year sentence before returning to Koh Lanta.