Songkhla Man Arrested for Killing Friend During Drug Run

Police arrested "Bangdee" after he brandished a gun and shot his friend dead on a public road, driven by paranoid fear of being attacked. The pair were riding a motorcycle together to collect drugs when the shooting occurred. Both the shooter and the victim were found to have extensive criminal histories involving drugs. The suspect fled to Thung Song district before being apprehended. On October 25, Pol. Lt. Col. Boonsong Witthaya, Deputy Commander of Songkhla Provincial Police, alongside Pol. Lt. Col. Koson Prabkree, Superintendent of Khuan Niang Police Station, announced the arrest of Akrachai (surname withheld), alias Bangdee, 36, who was wanted on a Songkhla Provincial Court warrant. Seized as evidence were one .45 caliber pistol, one magazine loaded with five .45 rounds, 39 additional .45 rounds, and the clothing he changed into after the crime.

The incident originated on October 23, when a brutal shooting took place on a road in Moo 4, Khuan So subdistrict, Khuan Niang district, Songkhla province. The deceased was Supawut, 29, who was shot once with an 11mm firearm. Background checks revealed the victim had a staggering 10 prior drug cases — eight at Muang Songkhla Police Station, one at Muang Satun, and one at Hat Yai — plus an outstanding Songkhla Provincial Court warrant for drug use and illegal possession, issued September 3.

Investigators reviewed witness statements and CCTV footage, identifying the perpetrator as Akrachai, alias Bangdee, 36, a friend of the deceased. Both men were deeply entangled in drug abuse. Police secured an arrest warrant and learned the suspect had already fled the area.

An investigation team led by Pol. Lt. Col. Phongsawat Inthasorn, Superintendent of Songkhla Provincial Investigation Division, tracked the suspect to a resort in Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province, where he was hiding in Thawang subdistrict. Officers moved in and took him into custody.

During interrogation, Akrachai confessed. He stated that on the day of the incident, he rode a motorcycle with Supawut, the victim riding pillion, to pick up drugs at the scene. He became paranoid that Supawut would harm him, as mutual distrust had grown between them recently. He drew his firearm, but a struggle ensued, causing the victim to lose balance and fall. Akrachai then aimed and fired a single shot into the victim's head.

A records check showed Akrachai had four prior criminal cases: one firearms offense at Muang Songkhla, two theft cases at Muang Songkhla, and one drug case at Kohong Police Station. Police initially took the suspect for a reenactment at the crime scene before transferring him to investigators to face three charges: intentional murder, illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, and discharging a firearm in a village or community area. Legal proceedings will continue accordingly.