Phuket motorbike taxi driver shot dead ‘in road rage’

A motorcycle taxi driver was shot dead this morning (October 30) at the Wor Kor intersection on Thepkrassattree Rd, close to Rajabhat University Phuket, in what police believe was a case of road rage.

The shooting took place at about 9:30am in front of many witnesses, including the victim’s son, at a red light. The shooter casually got back on his bike afterwards and drove away, apparently in no hurry.

The shooting was caught on CCTV.

Called to the scene next to the Siam Commercial Bank Rajabhat Branch, police were able to identify the dead man as Chaliao Piyapanikul, 47, from Trang, who was still wearing a motorcycle taxi vest and was lying in a pool of blood.

Police found three 9mm bullet casings at the scene. Mr Chaliao died instantly when shot just above the left eyebrow.

Police examined CCTV footage which seemed to show the shooter and the victim arguing. The victim apparently told his son to get off the motorcycle and stay away, before the gunman shot him and then drove away toward Baan Kuku.

Mr Chaliao’s body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital. Police are working on the identity of the shooter.

Phuket News

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