Bangkok –
Twin teenagers have surrendered after shooting another teenager to death in Bangkok.
The Prawet Police told TPN media that on Sunday (November 5th) they arrested two teens identified only as Mr. Yossakorn and Mr. Yossaphon, 19-year-old twins. Seized from them was a handgun. The arrest came after they shot another teenager to death on the On Nut Road in Prawet on Saturday morning(November 4th).
The victim, named only as Mr. Koonsap, 19, sustained severe injuries from a bullet wound and he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. His friend, identified only as Mr. Sompop, 19, told police that he was driving a motorbike with his passenger Mr. Koonsap.
When they arrived at the scene of the altercation there were two suspects on a motorbike who asked them what school they studied at. The victim then told the twins that they do not study but the twins did not believe him. At this point, however, the verbal situation escalated and one of the twins took out a gun and fired at the victim.
The father of the twin suspects took his sons to surrender to the police. His twin sons are indeed studying at a local technical school, although the name of the school wasn’t given. Mr. Yossaphon, the elder brother, admitted to police that he became angry when he saw the victim’s face for no reason. Yossaphon claimed, however, that he shot the victim, who was unarmed, in self defense as he thought they were going to attack him first. Yossaphon also thought the victim was a rival student at a different technical school, but was mistaken.
The twin suspects are facing charges of intent to murder, carrying a gun in public without permission, and illegal possession of a firearm.
TPN media notes that Thailand has a long history of violence between students at technical schools and authorities have tried multiple methods to defuse these situations. A popular movie, 4 Kings, was even made about these situations, especially in the 90’s, with a sequel due out soon. Thai police have continually worried that the film series could spark further conflicts between rival schools.
