Chalong Police were alerted at 8:20am that two armed men had allegedly threatened residents with a gun in Soi Palai in Chalong. It was reported that the men were heading towards Chao Fa East Rd in a bronze Toyota with the licence plate number 3508.
Sgt Maj Suwit Chooden from the Chalong Police said that he heard about the incident on the police radio and went to investigate with fellow officers. When they arrived they came across a vehicle matching the description given by residents, and attempted to stop them.
“The driver refused to stop and shot at us, but luckily no one was hurt. We called for backup and followed them," he told The Phuket News.
“The suspects sped along Chao Fa East Rd and later turned into Moo Baan Tinawut, where they got stuck in traffic.
“The suspects dumped their vehicle at the side of the road and one of them shot at us again but missed,” Sgt Maj Suwit said.
One of the suspects, identified as 27-year-old Suparat Thongkamkhao, ran into a house, where he was apprehended by police.
The other suspect, Suksawat Jansuta, also 27, went into another home in the area and whilst being chased by police was shot once in the right leg. He then went to the rear of the house where he dumped his gun before climbing on the roof.
Chalong Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Parinya Tantasuwan who had joined the pursuit added, “Officers asked Suksawat to surrender but he wouldn’t and attempted to get away. We caught him when he slipped and fell through the roof and injured himself. He was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital.
“Suksawat and Suparat admitted that they used a gun to threaten some people who owed money,” he said.
Both now face charges of attempted murder of pursuing police officers, resisting arrest, firing a weapon in a public place and threatening behaviour using a gun,” he added.