A police officer in Thailand is in critical condition after he was allegedly shot by a colleague following a workplace dispute at a highway police service centre in Chachoengsao province.
The incident occurred at about 1am on July 23 at the car park outside the Bang Khla Highway Police Service Centre in Bang Khla district.
The injured officer, identified as Police Sub-Lieutenant Yutthapong, suffered gunshot wounds to his chest, left arm and hip before being rushed to Buddhasothorn Hospital for emergency treatment.
Police arrested the alleged shooter, Police Senior Sergeant Major Phitsanu Malaisorn, at the scene after he reportedly waited to surrender. A 9mm handgun believed to have been used in the incident was also seized.
Initial investigations found that both officers had attended a meal with more than 10 other colleagues before returning to the police station.
Witnesses said an argument reportedly broke out between the two officers during the gathering and continued while they were travelling back to the service centre.
A witness, who is the girlfriend of a maid working at the centre, told police that she heard the two men arguing loudly at the car park before several gunshots were fired.
She later found Yutthapong lying on the ground with serious injuries.
Local media reported that more than 10 shots were fired during the incident. Phitsanu admitted that the dispute was related to work matters but declined to provide further details.
Investigators said the suspect appeared to be under significant stress during questioning, while reports suggested the disagreement may have involved differences over work procedures and the officers’ differing ranks and ages.
Phitsanu is expected to be brought before the Chachoengsao Provincial Court for temporary detention as police continue their investigation.
The case remains under investigation as authorities work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting.
