THE BODY of a stressed out soldier who shot and injured two villagers in Surin after leaving his post without permission last night has been found in a nearby forest and it is believed he committed suicide, Naewna newspaper and Amarin TV said today (Aug. 15).
Private Ratthaphum Thepsiri, 25, who was assigned to the 1623rd Infantry Company had left his post taking an M16 rifle and 140 rounds of ammunition with him. Police found approximately 18 shell casings at the scene, leaving him with approximately 122 rounds.
Col. Richa Suksuwanon, a deputy army spokesperson, said troops at this company heard a series of 10 gunshots fired on the road next to Wat Ban Khuen Kaew temple in Kab Choeng district at 12.45 a.m. Later, at 12.54 a.m., two more gunshots were heard.
The two men who got injured, Mr. Wutthana, 35, whose right calf was grazed, and Mr. Anuwat, 32, whose abdomen was grazed and also suffered a minor laceration on his back, were rushed to the hospital and are in stable condition.
Upon being questioned the two injured men said a group of five to six of them had been drinking alcohol together and dispersed shortly before shooting took place with the two of them still remaining there. Shortly afterwards the soldier walked up and stood around 50 metres away from them and opened fire with the two of them quickly crouching and fortunately were not seriously injured.
A background check showed that before enlisting Private Ratthaphum was a quiet man and during the border tension and clashes with Cambodia had been stationed at Prasat Ta Kwai temple since June, only returning to the company on Aug. 3.
At around 9.20 a.m. police, soldiers and local government officials found the spot in the forest where he was hiding and later negotiations took place led by Pol. Maj. Gen. Sukon Sri-arun, commander of Surin provincial police, with the private’s father asked to come and assist in persuading him to lay down his arms and surrender.
CAPTION:
Private Ratthaphum Thepsiri and the spot where the shooting took place last night. Photos: Amarin TV
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