A Nonthaburi man was arrested for shooting and injuring two neighbours, one of whom is in a serious condition, after an argument over loud noises from firecrackers being set off as part of the Chinese New Year tradition.
Thanin Sungroong, 22, was apprehended in front of his home in Rim Suan housing estate in tambon Bang Rak Noi of Muang district in the afternoon after he shot Natthawat Kongthanasin and his relative Siriwan Kongthanasin with a .38-caliber Smith & Wesson revolver.
Mr Natthawat was shot two times in the head and once in the right thigh. A bullet grazed Mrs Siriwan’s left knee.
After the shooting, Mr Thanin felt remorse over what he had done and waited for police to arrive.
Mr Thanin said he had quarrelled with Mr Natthawat, with whom he had been at odds for a long time, over loud bangs coming from firecrackers lit by his family to cast away evil spirits during the Chinese New Year.
Unleashing his anger, he initially fired six shots into the air and walked back to his house. He claimed Mr Natthawat challenged him to shoot at him rather than fire the pistol in the air.
He then reloaded his weapon as Mr Natthawat was running toward him, prompting him to open fire at him and Mrs Siriwan.
Mr Thanin was charged with attempted murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and carrying and firing weapons in public without permission.
According to the Chinese lunar calendar, Sunday marks the last day of the Year of Goat. Among the activities carried out today are the worshipping of ancestors and setting off firecrackers to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck before they usher in the Year of the Fire Monkey on Monday.