Indian Tourists Killed, Other Injured after Getting in Crossfire of Gang Shootout in Bangkok

BANGKOK -An Indian tourist was killed and four others wounded by stray bullets from an apparent battle between two gangs of young men on Ratchaprarop Road in Bangkok on Sunday night.

Police were called at about 8.40pm to an area near Watergate Pavilion Mall in Ratchathewi district, officers said.

Some of the victims were a group of tourists who had just finished dinner at an Indian restaurant in the mall and were waiting for their bus at the restaurant’s parking lot.

Police said two groups of young men had emerged from a nearby snooker club into an alley beside the parking lot and began a fight that quickly escalated into an armed battle.

Gang members fled as police approached and none were apprehended at the scene. Police found “many” spent 9mm and 7.62mm cartridges, which police said indicated “AK rifles” were used.

Casualties amongst gang members, if any, were unknown.

Police said Monday that four people were hospitalized – an Indian and a Lao who are in critical condition and two Thais.

Police were working Monday to identify the youths involved, and said they had surveillance camera footage to help.

Pol Maj Gen Surachat Hakparn, acting immigration police chief, said later on Monday that police had identified the perpetrators and would seek warrants for the arrest of several suspects.

“The two gangs are frequent visitors to the snooker club and are rivals. The culprits will be arrested in a few days,” he said.