Bangkok: Police have filed three serious charges against a pork vendor following a shooting incident at the Bang Bon-Ekachai fresh market, which resulted in a seafood vendor being seriously injured. The conflict reportedly stemmed from a quarrel between the vendors' wives.
According to Thai News Agency, the incident occurred when Mr. Worawut, a 43-year-old seafood vendor, was shot multiple times. He sustained injuries below the left breast, left buttocks, and on the back right thigh. The alleged shooter, Mr. Wirot, a 67-year-old pork vendor, fled the scene after the incident.
Witnesses reported seeing the wives of the two vendors engaged in a fight. Mr. Wirot allegedly watched the altercation but did not intervene. Following a brief confrontation involving Mr. Worawut, a shooting ensued, leaving the seafood vendor injured. Subsequently, Mr. Wirot fled before Mr. Worawut was taken to a hospital.
Later that night, Mr. Wirot turned himself in to Bang Khun Thian police, surrendering a registered Colt 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, along with a magazine and a black leather holster. Police have charged him with carrying a firearm in a public area without good reason, firing a gun without good reason in a public area, and attempting to kill another person.
Mr. Wirot claimed self-defense, stating that Mr. Worawut had attempted to shoot him first, but the gun misfired. Wirot's daughter defended her father, asserting that they were responding to an initial threat on their lives, and accused Mr. Worawut of instigating the conflict and assaulting an employee.
This morning, police took Mr. Wirot to the Thonburi Criminal Court. Meanwhile, Mr. Worawut remains in critical condition in the ICU after undergoing surgery to remove a kidney and part of his pancreas, with further medical procedures to repair his diaphragm and manage blood loss.