Tourists flee Thailand shoot out between jet ski operators

Tourists fled in terror after a deadly shootout between rival jet ski operators on a Thai beach.

The two men had been ferrying holidaymakers out to sea on packed travel hot spot Koh Samui island yesterday afternoon.

But Soontree Chaipet, 45, and Tinapot Petcharat, 26, began arguing over one encroaching onto the other’s patch.

CCTV showed the moment each man produced a handgun and opened fire at each other, with tourists at a nearby restaurant running for cover and hiding under tables.

Footage captured the terrifying moment tourists fled in panic after a deadly shootout on a Thai paradise beach between rival jet ski operators. CCTV showed the moment each man produced a handgun and opened fire at each other, with tourists at a nearby restaurant running for cover and hiding under tables

The two men had been ferrying holidaymakers out to sea on packed travel hot spot Koh Samui island yesterday afternoon. Pictures showed two men slumped on the beach

Police arrived at around 4.30pm and found both men in a pool of blood on the white sand. The younger man, Tinapot, later died in hospital

Holidaymakers rushed over to help in the aftermath of the shooting, which left one man dead

Holidaymakers rushed over to help in the aftermath of the shooting, which left one man dead

Holidaymakers rushed over to help in the aftermath of the shooting, which left one man dead

Police arrived at around 4.30pm and found both men in a pool of blood on the white sand. The younger man, Tinapot, later died in hospital.

Horrified onlooker Num Hankit, 30, said: ‘I work near the beach and just heard the bullets and came to look. It’s scary, anybody could be hit by a bullet. 

‘People are riding jet skis with guns in their pockets. I cannot believe this happening on a beach.

‘There were more than 100 tourists standing on the beach. They looked shocked. They have a holiday and people are shooting each other. It’s dangerous.’

The older man was driven to hospital by a friend while paramedics performed CPR on Tinapot as tourists in their swimming trunks stood watching in disbelief.

Frightened holidaymakers watched on as medics and police descended on the scene on Koh Samui island on Tuesday

Frightened holidaymakers watched on as medics and police descended on the scene on Koh Samui island on Tuesday

Officers later recovered two weapons, a black 9mm handgun and a smaller silver pistol as well as ammunition on the Chaweng Beach

Officers later recovered two weapons, a black 9mm handgun and a smaller silver pistol as well as ammunition on the Chaweng Beach

Police Major General Apichat Boonsaree from the Bophut station said they believed the reason for the gun fight was a ‘business conflict when renting jet skis to customers’

The older man was driven to hospital by a friend while paramedics performed CPR on Tinapot as tourists in their swimming trunks stood watching in disbelief

The older man was driven to hospital by a friend while paramedics performed CPR on Tinapot as tourists in their swimming trunks stood watching in disbelief

Police said that both men had been carrying weapons and 'that they had many arguments with each other before'

Police said that both men had been carrying weapons and ‘that they had many arguments with each other before’

Grainy footage shows the moment chaos broke out at the beach in Thailand as jet ski operators attacked one another

Grainy footage shows the moment chaos broke out at the beach in Thailand as jet ski operators attacked one another

Officers later recovered two weapons, a black 9mm handgun and a smaller silver pistol as well as ammunition on the Chaweng Beach.

Police Major General Apichat Boonsaree from the Bophut station said they believed the reason for the gun fight was a ‘business conflict when renting jet skis to customers’.

He added: ‘Both sides are involved in the business of renting jet skis on the beach and they took up a duel with each other. They were both carrying guns and we understand that they had many arguments with each other before.

Medics are pictured putting one of the men on a stretcher following the dramatic shootout

Soontree Chaipet, 45, and Tinapot Petcharat, 26, began arguing over one encroaching onto the other's patch

Soontree Chaipet, 45, and Tinapot Petcharat, 26, began arguing over one encroaching onto the other’s patch

Police arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area. They are planning to interrogate the surviving jet ski operator once he has recovered sufficiently

Police arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area. They are planning to interrogate the surviving jet ski operator once he has recovered sufficiently

Tourists were reclining on their sunbeds when the gunfight broke out. Many then fled in terror

Tourists were reclining on their sunbeds when the gunfight broke out. Many then fled in terror

‘However, the investigators must speak to all the witnesses and people involved in order to understand the exact cause.

‘Officers arrived and ensured the safety of tourists who were relaxing at the time when the shots could be heard.

‘Police are in attendance at the hospital where the survivor is and will interrogate him once he has regained composure.’ 

The two men involved had started arguing after one operator encroached onto the other's patch. Pictures show jet skis lined up at the resort

The two men involved had started arguing after one operator encroached onto the other’s patch. Pictures show jet skis lined up at the resort

Concerned tourists initially fled from the scene before returning to watch the drama as medics and police guarded the scene

Concerned tourists initially fled from the scene before returning to watch the drama as medics and police guarded the scene

Officers have launched an investigation and plan to interrogate the surviving jet ski operator

Officers have launched an investigation and plan to interrogate the surviving jet ski operator

 



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