Accused shooter Chatree “Dam” Hiranwadee, a local Phuketian from the Ban Don area, was arrested along with the alleged gunman, Warakorn “Tekjai” Thaworn, 17, at the latter's home in Thalang. Police found a gun and ammunition (12 mm bullter) during the arrest, said Pol Maj Gen Pachara Boonyasit.
“It was on October 2, the last day of Vegetarian Festival. The conflict started when the two sides started throwing fire crackers at each other,” said Pol Maj Gen Pachara.
Things escalated and the two groups began chasing each other on motorbikes until Mr Chatree’s group could not go any further and made their escape by leaving their vehicles. When they returned later, the group found that their motorbikes had been set ablaze and were badly damaged.
The group believed the other side that was following him included Mr Prasert Jantip and Mr Wanthana Seepsak and that they had burned their bikes.
Police said that Mr Chatree and Mr Warakorn found and shot Mr Prasert twice (in the left arm and right thigh) and Mr Wanthana once in the face on October 4 as revenge.
Mr Prasert has already recovered and was released from Vachira hospital but Mr Wanthana remains in the Intensive Care Unit.
Both Mr Catree and Mr Warakorn were charged with possession of a firearm without a permit and attempted murder, police said.