HAT YAI – A 30-year-old man has been arrested and charged with the illegal use of a firearm after allegedly shooting towards volunteers on jet skis who were assisting flood victims in Hat Yai district, Songkhla. Provincial Police Region 9 announced on Monday that Mr. Ruengchai, whose surname was withheld, surrendered to authorities on Sunday and turned over a Glock pistol believed to have been used in the incident.

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The shooting occurred last Tuesday near Ban Koh Mee School in Hat Yai, where rescue volunteers were using jet skis to evacuate residents from flooded areas. One volunteer later posted a video online stating he and his colleagues heard three gunshots and retreated to their base out of safety concerns. There had been speculation that frustrated residents, possibly annoyed by the noise and waves caused by the watercraft, were responsible for the shots.

Shots fired at volunteer's jet ski in flooded Hat Yaihttps://t.co/qttU2vUurD pic.twitter.com/pen1g4Qq35

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According to police, Mr. Ruengchai admitted to firing the weapon but denied aiming at the rescuers. He claimed he discharged the gun into the air in an attempt to attract their attention so that he and his neighbors could receive assistance. The suspect explained that he had been under significant stress after being trapped in floodwaters for several days.

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Pol Maj Gen Achan Chanthasiri and Pol Maj Gen Wara Vejchapinan stated that the suspect surrendered after police applied pressure urging him to come forward. Mr. Ruengchai has been charged at Kho Hong Police Station with illegal and unnecessary discharge of a firearm in a public place. If found guilty, he faces a maximum penalty of a 5,000 baht fine and/or up to ten days in prison.

-Thailand News (TN)