PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN — 23 April 2026, A 32-year-old air-conditioning technician was injured in a late-night shooting in Phetchaburi province after an apparent dispute conducted via Facebook escalated into violence, police said.
The incident occurred at 23:57 on 22 April outside a house on Phu Wai Road in Cha-am district. Police said two men on a motorcycle opened fire on the victim, later identified as Thepphitak Onphakdi, striking him in the right arm.
Officers from Cha-am police station, led by investigator Pol. Lt. Col. Sunthorn Phramsang, responded to the scene along with rescue workers from Cha-am Hospital. The victim was given first aid before being taken to hospital.
At the scene, authorities found 17 spent 9mm shell casings scattered across the road, indicating a sustained burst of gunfire.
CCTV footage showed two suspects riding a motorcycle without visible registration plates circling the area before drawing a firearm and shooting the victim. They reportedly returned briefly to the scene before fleeing.
Police said one suspect had been identified as a 17-year-old male from Cha-am district, while efforts were under way to identify and apprehend the second suspect.
Preliminary inquiries suggest the attack stemmed from an earlier exchange of challenges between the victim and his rivals on Facebook. Investigators said further questioning would be conducted to establish the full motive.
Police have launched a manhunt for the second suspect, who remains at large.
The victim told officers he had just returned from installing an air-conditioning unit at a customer’s home and was unloading equipment when the attackers arrived. He attempted to dodge the gunfire but was hit once in the arm, adding that he could not clearly see the assailants’ faces.
