FAMILY JUSTICE; PANTS DOWN; DOUBLE SHIFT; MARKET PEST

A furious brother in Phatthalung province took the law into his own hands after learning that his sister had been repeatedly beaten by her boyfriend and hospitalised with depression.

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Unable to bear it any longer, he stormed the man’s house and shot him. When the sister, Nipa (no surname given), 48, a village head-woman's assistant, heard the news that her boyfriend had been gunned down, she collapsed in shock.

Rescue workers took Phanupong, also known as “Phak Kad” (no surname given), 28, from his home in Muang district to the emergency room at Phatthalung Hospital.

Four armed men had driven to his house and shot him in front of his mother and 16-year-old brother.

The motive stemmed from Phanupong’s jealousy and violent temper. Family members said he and his girlfriend argued often, and he would assault her.

After the most recent beating, she was admitted to hospital, and her younger brother, hearing the news, decided to get even on her behalf.

Upon hearing Phanupong had been shot, the girlfriend — who was occupying a bed at the same hospital — grabbed her IV stand and hurried from her ward to the emergency room.

When she saw her boyfriend there, she collapsed to the floor in tears. Staff quickly wheeled her back to her room.

Meanwhile, the victim's mother cried, shouting to everyone present that her son was responsible for the shooting.

The attack occurred in Tha Khae subdistrict. Police found bloodstains behind the house, two spent 9mm shells, one live round, and bullet marks on three walls.

Relatives said Arm (no other names given), the woman’s brother, arrived in a black Toyota Fortuner with several accomplices, armed with guns.

He confronted Phanupong, and they argued.

Moments later, Arm drew his gun and shot him in front of his mother. The victim fled out the back of the house, while Arm and his group sped away.

Nipa’s 16-year-old brother told police his sister suffered from depression.

On the morning of the incident, Phanupong and his sister had a violent quarrel, which ended with Phanupong ordering her to leave.