Midnight chase ends in gunfire
Bangkok – A teenage boy is fighting for his life after being caught in the middle of a deadly gang shootout. The 15-year-old, known only as Ae, was struck in the stomach during a violent midnight chase despite having, according to his mother, no connection to the conflict. Police have already arrested two suspects.
The chaos unfolded shortly after midnight on September 13 in the Dao Khanong neighbourhood. Ae was riding with friends when a convoy of seven to eight motorcycles and a car began pursuing them through the streets. Near the popular Indy Market, the attackers opened fire.
One bullet hit Ae in the abdomen, causing catastrophic injuries. Witnesses described scenes of terror as shoppers and bystanders scrambled for cover.
Mother’s despair: “I want justice for my son”
Ae’s mother, 35-year-old Amara, spoke through tears about the moment she realised something was terribly wrong.
“I had just spoken to him around midnight and he promised me everything was fine,” she said. “Later, nobody answered the phone. Then, at 1am, a friend called and told me he had been shot.”
Doctors rushed Ae into emergency surgery after bullets tore through his intestine, a major vein, and his right ureter. Medics now give him only a 50/50 chance of survival.
Amara has remained by his hospital bed ever since.
“My son never had problems with anyone. He was not part of this conflict. I want justice for my family,” she said.
Shootout linked to gang feud
Police believe the shooting stemmed from an ongoing feud between rival youth gangs. Witnesses and videos uploaded to social media suggest the gunfire erupted after an older companion of Ae clashed with members of the rival group.
The footage, now widely shared online, shows the frantic chase through Bangkok’s streets before the deafening shots rang out.
Police confirm two arrests
The Bang Kho Laem police confirmed two suspects have been arrested. A manhunt is under way for the rest of the gang members. Officers are reviewing CCTV footage and mobile phone videos recorded by terrified onlookers, which captured both the pursuit and the moment Ae was shot.
Public outrage over youth gang violence
The attack has sparked a wave of outrage across Thailand. Social media has been flooded with demands for tougher measures against teenage gangs, with growing fears that violent youth crime in the capital is spiralling out of control.
Police have pledged to track down all those responsible.
“We are working to identify every member of the group,” a spokesman said. Authorities have also announced plans to increase patrols in problem neighbourhoods and introduce stronger preventative measures.