Tourist Police officer, Sen Sgt Maj Pinchai Piyadilok, was charged on March 21, as a “precautionary measure” with two counts of murder and one of attempted murder.
He, too, was wounded in the shooting, and is currently in hospital in Haad Yai where his leg was amputated blow the knee.
Sgt Maj Pinchai’s wife Warankana Wichien said, “Right now, he is recovering from the amputation. He is not available to talk with the media but he has been greatly encouraged by visits from relatives and friends.
“I do not know when he will get out of the hospital because he is waiting for doctors to graft skin [over the stump of his leg].
Meanwhile, the other survivor of the mayhem, Natthapong Keawkuanchum, 25, has been operated on at Vachira Phuket Hospital, to repair bullet wounds to his stomach.
A hospital official said, “Mr Natthapong was operated on on March 20. At the moment he cannot eat but he is recovering now.”
Muang Phuket Police SuperintendentSermphan Sirikongtold The Phuket News, “We have already collected evidence from the crime scene. We have also talked with both of the wounded men, but neither were in a condition for full interviews with investigators.
“[Mr Natthapong] appears not to remember very well; he seems confused and nervous when investigators ask him about what happened.
“We asked him what the shooter looked like but he seemed confused and his descriptions varied from one time to the next. I do not want put too much pressure on him right now.
“Sgt Maj Pinchai does not want to talk at the moment. But we will continue to visit them both until they are well enough to talk.”