Police responding to the incident seized four firearms: two shotguns, one rifle and .45-calibre Glock G21 handgun.
Capt Ronnatee Pichitchainitimet of the Thalang Police was notified of the shootout at 3:30pm.
Thalang Police Deputy Chief Lt Col Anukun Nooket and fellow Deputy Chief Lt Col Natapop Pongsapan Pongsapan led a team of officers to the scene, the entrance to an 800-rai plot located behind Thepwanaram Temple (Wat Manik Temple) in Srisoonthorn.
Joining the Thalang Police deputy commanders were Maj Surasak Leewijit and Capt Ronnatee.
Rescue workers also arrived with the police to find a Ford pickup truck with its windscreen shot out and spent bullet casings and shotgun cartridges on the ground.
Two men, Wichien Chinnawongprom and Somrit Denmalai, had suffered serious gunshot wounds and were taken to Thalang Hospital.
Police have confirmed that due to the extent of their injuries both men have since been transferred transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town.
Police took both parties to the gunfight into custody, with Jakkree Nandit, 33, and Sorleear Denmalai, 54, arrested and officers seizing from them a .22 rifle and an old single-barrel shotgun. Jakkree and Sorleear live behind the land in dispute.
Police also arrested three men – Chaiyan Jaisawang, 51; Sinchai Kaewmeka, 42; and Weerawat Janprasert, 48 – and seized from them the Glock handgun and a shotgun. The three men are hired as caretakers for the 800-rai of land, which is owned by Madoro Co Ltd.
All five were taken to Thalang Police Station.
“The incident happened immediately after Jakkree and Sorleear did not close a wooden gate behind them after they crossed the land,” explained Col Anukun said.
“An argument broke out, and Jakkree and Sorleear went back to their home and returned with guns. The two groups threatened each other, then started shooting,” he said.
“Three years ago we received a complaint from the company about their people who live behind the land. The case became more serious and ended up in court,” Col Anukun noted.
“The court has ordered that the people living behind the land can continue to cross the land while the case is being heard in court,” he explained.
“We are continuing our investigation into the shootings, with forensic police assisting. We have already confirmed that all four guns involved are legally registered,” Col Anukun added.