SURAT THANI: Residents and business operators Wednesday held a mourning ceremony on Koh Phangan’s Haad Rin Beach for a British bystander who was shot to death during a brawl at a New Year's Eve party.
About 50 business operators, residents and tourists, most of them dressed in black, attended a vigil in memory of Stephen Ashton, 23, who was shot and killed by a shell from homemade gun during a nearby fight between two groups of Thai men at Haad Rin, home to the world famous Full Moon Party.
Ashton was not involved in the fracas, during which one man allegedly drew and fired his homemade gun, missing his intended target but hitting Ashton, dancing on the beach nearby just before dawn on New Year's Day.
Wednesday's mourning was presided over by Koh Phangan district chief Taweesak Inprom, who was joined by Neal Bambridge, a British consular agent.
Mr Taweesak said he was speaking for Phangan residents and members of all sectors of the tourist industry when he extended "deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences" to Ashton’s family. He pledged to work closely with public and private sectors to make the island both drug- and gun-free, especially during the monthly Full Moon parties - when tourists often arrive for the drugs.
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Prasert Jitmooong, chief district of nearby Koh Samui, another major tourist destination of Surat Thani province, attended the ceremony. He said local authorities were installing warning signs in places that provide a high-risk setting for certain kinds of criminal incidents. Officials stationed at such risk spots would also advise and help tourists.
More police officers and defence volunteers would be sent to entertainment venues, to enforce a strict no-weapons policy and ensure order, he said.
Provincial police chief Kiattipong Khaosum-ang of Surat Thani said he had instructed officers to launch weekly, major crackdowns on gangs who are believed to be involved in firearms and drugs on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui. He said in the past week, 13 people were arrested on the two islands for and charged with carrying unlicensed firearms or illicit drugs. Police had seized 10 illegal firearms from the suspects.
Photos by Supapong Chaolan