Motorbike rider shot dead on roadside 'for bullying co-worker' on Thai island
A motorbike rider was shot dead on a roadside in Thailand for allegedly bullying his co-worker.
Kittiphit Jinda, 32, was driving home from work when alleged gunman Sommai, 34, pulled up next to him near the Phuket International Airport underpass.
The two men then stopped by the roadside before the suspect reportedly produced a gun and shot Kittiphit at close range.
The bullet pierced through the motorist's black full-face helmet before he collapsed, bleeding on the pavement as Sommai fled.
Shocked drivers called the police following the alleged shooting at 8:10 pm local time on Thursday.
Officers raced to the scene, where Kittiphit was lying face-up with one leg draped over his bloodstained Honda Scoopy scooter. He had no pulse and had suffered a gunshot wound to his right temple.
Nearby, cops collected a 0.30-calibre bullet casing as evidence.
Paramedics performed CPR before rushing Kittiphit to a hospital, but he was later pronounced dead.
Police reviewed CCTV footage and identified the alleged killer as Sommai, who worked at the same concrete company where Kittiphit was employed as a truck driver.
Investigators tracked Sommai to his home in the Thalang district, where he was arrested just hours after the suspected murder.
He was detained on suspicion of murder, illegal possession of firearms, and carrying a firearm in a public place without justification or permission.
During questioning, Sommai allegedly admitted to shooting the deceased 'because of his constant harassment at work'.
He reportedly told police: 'I had been dealing with his constant bullying at work, and I just lost control. I just couldn't take it anymore.'
Officers said they were searching for the clothes worn during the incident, and the firearm which he allegedly discarded at Bang Sae Yamu Beach.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Warawut Sensob, an investigator at the Thalang Police Station, said Sommai will undergo firearm residue tests as police gather more evidence to prosecute him.
He said: 'Mr. Sommai has initially been charged with murder, possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm.
'Police are continuing the investigation into the shooting and are working to locate the weapon allegedly used in the attack.'
Thailand has one of the highest gun ownership and gun homicide rates among Southeast Asian nations.
Though Thai authorities have vowed to tighten gun control, there are around 4 million unregistered guns, often smuggled from war-torn countries, in circulation, the Ministry of Interior said in 2023.
