This is seriously terrifying! Five people were the casualties of a gang fight that turned nasty really fast on Sunday night (October 7) in one of Bangkok’s busiest area.
It was reported by Straits Times that two foreign tourists, two Thais and another tourist were caught in the crossfire when a bunch of young men took out their rifles and fired at a rival gang. The incident took place at around 8.30pm on a side street near the Watergate Pavillion mall off Ratchaprarop Road in the Makkasan sub-district of Ratchathewi district.
This area is a favourite tourist hotspot where popular shopping places such as Platinum Fashion Mall and Pratunam Market are located. Two of the tourists died due to the incident while the two Thais and an Indian tourist suffered injuries.
The tourists who sadly lost their lives were identified as Gakhrejr Dheeraj, 42, an Indian, and Keovongsa Thonekeo, 28, a Lao tourist who succumbed to their injuries in the hospital. Police Major General Senit Samararn Samruajkit, commander of the Metropolitan Police Division 1 stated that two groups of men had spilt out from a nearby snooker parlour as the group of tourists were waiting for their bus after finishing their dinner.
About 20 young men came out of the club armed with pistols, knives and sticks and started fighting before three of them took out their rifles and opened fire. In the chaos that ensued, the innocent bystanders were caught in the crossfire and before the police arrived, the group escaped.
The police said that they have not identified the type of rifles used but found shells of an AK-47 assault rifle at the scene. They are currently investigating the matter and are taking it very seriously as it is rare for a street fight to use such heavy weapons in Bangkok.
Hopefully, the police will be able to apprehend the suspects and bring them to justice!
Also read: Bangkok Issues Dengue Fever Warning as 69 Deaths Reported Nationwide