BANGKOK – The 20-year-old son of a police officer has surrendered to police following a brutal drive-by shooting in Bangkok. The violent attack left a 23-year-old food delivery rider fighting for his life in intensive care.
The frightening incident unfolded on Nawamin Road, quickly sparking public outrage across the local community. The suspects are reportedly members of a local gang connected to children of police officers. This troubling detail has raised serious public concerns about justice and accountability in the case.
Key Takeaways
- A 23-year-old delivery rider is in critical condition after being shot twice in the chest.
- The shooter, allegedly part of a “police kids gang,” surrendered after his mother brought him to the station.
- Police recovered a .380 caliber handgun hidden in the suspect’s closet, purchased through an online seller.
The drive-by shooting occurred in the early morning hours of August 24 near Soi Nawamin 60. Thanadol Pakkrasae, 23, was riding his motorcycle with his 16-year-old passenger, Weeraphap, heading toward Bang Kapi. Suddenly, a white Honda Freed aggressively swerved toward their motorcycle, forcing the young men to dodge.
When the victims reached the alley entrance, the car’s passenger window slowly rolled down. The attacker fired directly at the young men, causing their motorcycle to crash onto the pavement. The attackers then immediately sped away into the night, leaving the bleeding victims injured on the road.
Emergency responders rushed Thanadol to a nearby hospital with two severe gunshot wounds to his right chest. Fortunately, his teenage passenger only suffered minor scraping injuries from the terrifying motorcycle crash. According to a report by Thai Rath, police quickly tracked the suspected getaway vehicle to a nearby residential district.
A History of Bad Blood and Rivalry
Investigators quickly identified the vehicle’s owner, known as “Marty,” using local street surveillance footage. Security cameras caught him parking the white Honda Freed at his residence shortly after the violent attack. Police found a bullet hole in the car’s window and took Marty into custody for immediate questioning.
Later that afternoon, a 54-year-old mother brought her 20-year-old son, “Ice,” to the Lat Phrao police station. She confessed to authorities that her son was the actual triggerman in the drive-by shooting. However, she argued that her son was provoked because the victims previously attacked his close friends.
According to the mother, the two rival youth groups have been feuding for over five years. She claimed the victims’ group had shot at her son’s friend just a week before this event. Despite this violent history, she insisted her son was normally a quiet kid who just played mobile games.
A Grieving Mother’s Cry for Real Justice
While the suspects claim they acted in self-defense, the victim’s family is demanding strict and fair justice. Thanadol’s mother arrived at the police station in tears, devastated by the unprovoked attack on her son. She expressed deep fear that the suspects’ family connections to the police force might help them escape punishment.
“They are children of police officers. Does that mean they can do whatever they want?” she asked reporters. She worried that her working-class family does not have the money or power to fight a rigged legal system.
Meanwhile, Thanadol remains in the intensive care unit fighting a very difficult battle for his life. Doctors told his heartbroken family that he is practically “half-dead” due to the severity of his chest injuries. Surgeons managed to remove one bullet, but the second remains lodged dangerously close to his spinal cord.
Police Uncover the Attempted Murder Weapon
Following the confession, Lat Phrao police escorted the 20-year-old shooter to his rental room in Soi Nawamin 54. They conducted a thorough search of the property to find the weapon used in the violent crime. Officers successfully located a .380-caliber magazine pistol safely hidden away inside a wooden wardrobe.
Police also seized three rounds of ammunition found alongside the gun during the bedroom search. During questioning, the young suspect claimed he bought the illegal firearm online for exactly 10,000 baht. Authorities have sent the weapon for forensic testing to confirm its exact use in the recent street crime.
Investigators are now working to verify the true origin of the illegal handgun. They are also expanding the investigation to see if anyone else was involved in the underground weapons trade. The police have officially promised a fair and transparent investigation, despite the suspects’ alleged connections to local law enforcement.
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