NARATHIWAT, THAILAND – A Prachachat Party lawmaker survived a suspected assassination attempt outside his home when gunmen opened fire on his vehicle, seriously injuring two companions before fleeing.
Attack outside residence in Bacho
The shooting occurred at 1:09 a.m. on Phetkasem Road in Bacho district, as the vehicle carrying Kamolsak Leewamoh pulled up in front of his residence. The car came under heavy fire just as it arrived at the house.
According to initial findings, a white four-door pickup had followed the lawmaker’s vehicle before overtaking it. The attackers then opened fire on the black Toyota Alphard in which Kamolsak was travelling with two companions.
CCTV footage captures the ambush
Surveillance cameras in the neighborhood recorded how the pickup reversed after overtaking the Alphard. The footage showed the assailants firing several shots before speeding away toward the center of Bacho.
Police treated the CCTV recordings as key evidence and secured the material for detailed examination. Investigators expected the images to help identify the vehicle and those involved.
Two companions seriously injured
The attack left driver Uchalumh Koloh (55) and Pol. Snr. Sgt. Maj. Harirak Heemmina (43) seriously wounded. Harirak served as a police officer assigned to the lawmaker’s protection detail.
Local residents rushed both injured men to Bacho Hospital shortly after the shooting. They were later transferred to Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital for further treatment.
MP escapes unharmed
Kamolsak had been returning from Hat Yai when the ambush took place in front of his house. He was in the vehicle at the time of the attack.
He escaped injury because he immediately took cover when he heard the first loud bang. By ducking down, he avoided the gunfire directed at the van.
Police hunt attackers as motive unclear
Police launched an investigation to track down the unknown gunmen and bring them into custody. Officers were working to piece together the attackers’ movements before and after the shooting.
A motive for the suspected assassination attempt remained unknown. Authorities said they were pursuing several lines of inquiry while awaiting more evidence from the CCTV analysis and witness statements.