A 34-year-old man was shot during a confrontation over a parking space at a petrol station in Nonthaburi, Thailand, after an argument with another driver reportedly escalated into gunfire.
The incident happened along Kanchanaphisek Road on 25 August, when the victim, identified as Anan, stopped at a petrol station while travelling to work. He was reportedly waiting for another vehicle to leave a parking space when a black pickup truck suddenly moved into the spot.
Anan then approached the driver to question him about the way he had taken the parking space. According to the victim’s account, the disagreement quickly became more serious when the other driver allegedly got out of his vehicle and produced a firearm.
Driver Allegedly Opened Fire During Parking Dispute
Anan reportedly ran away after the driver began chasing him while firing the weapon. He was struck on the right side of his abdomen by a 9mm bullet.
Fortunately, the injury did not hit a vital organ, and he remained conscious following the incident. Rescue personnel from Bang Yai Hospital provided first aid at the petrol station before Anan later went to Bang Yai Police Station to make a report.
Police investigating the shooting recovered five spent shell casings from the scene, indicating that multiple shots had allegedly been fired during the confrontation.
A separate vehicle was also damaged during the incident. A bronze-coloured Toyota was reportedly struck in its boot by one of the bullets.
The alleged gunman did not remain at the scene. He reportedly drove away in a black four-door pickup truck and headed towards Bang Kruai.
Police Review CCTV To Identify Suspect
The victim told authorities that he had never previously had a dispute with the driver, suggesting that the confrontation may have started spontaneously over the parking space.
At the time of reporting, police had not announced an arrest or confirmed whether an arrest warrant had been issued for the suspected shooter.
Investigators were reportedly reviewing CCTV footage from the petrol station and nearby roads in an effort to identify the vehicle and establish the suspect’s escape route.
The incident highlights how seemingly minor disputes in public places can escalate rapidly, particularly when weapons are involved. Thailand’s authorities regularly remind members of the public to avoid confrontations and contact police when disputes become threatening.
For motorists and travellers in Thailand, the case also serves as a reminder that parking disputes should not be allowed to escalate into physical confrontations. A disagreement over a parking space can quickly become a serious personal safety issue when one party is carrying a weapon.
Police are expected to continue examining surveillance footage and other evidence as they work to locate the suspect and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.