Dawn shootings hit 3 bikers

By The Nation

Two similar shootings erupted on an empty Bangkok road at dawn yesterday, injuring three men out for pleasure motorcycle rides.

As of press time, all the victims remained hospitalised.

"We will determine whether the two cases are linked," Thammasala Police Station investigator Pol Lt-Colonel Prasert Promjan said.

In his jurisdiction, Wuttichai Manakijrujee, 20, and Boonchai sae Jeng, 20, were shot at about 5.30am. They each sustained three gunshot wounds.

"We were riding our motorcycles for fun when four men sandwiched us between their two motorcycles. Then, they opened fire," Boonchai said. He told police all the four attackers wore black jackets.

Following the shooting, Boonchai drove his motorcycle into a petrol station to ask for help.

"The attackers were heading toward the Borommaratchachonnanee Road," he said.

After Boonchai and Wuttichai were taken to the Thon Buri Hospital, six friends showed up to visit them. All wore white or black T-shirts, with jeans and white Taywin sandals. Such outfits are popular among speed devils on Bangkok roads.

In the second shooting, Jarern Weerayut, 29, was shot in his left thigh while out on a dawn pleasure ride. He said four men in black jackets also sandwiched him with their two motorcycles and then shot him.

This victim wore the white Taywin sandals as well.

Both shootings took place on the Kanchanaphisek Road.

Police are checking recordings from security cameras in the areas to determine who the attackers were.

-- The Nation 2011-07-11

"We will determine whether the two cases are linked," Thammasala Police Station investigator Pol Lt-Colonel Prasert Promjan said.

Yea better do some more work to see if these two incidents are related.

Same morning, sames road, same suspect clothing description, same weapon type used, same vehicle, identical attack method .... come to think of it, maybe it is a coincidence.

Attempted suicide

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

someone don t like white Taywin sandals

Off topic attempt at humor removed.

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

People who like to go very fast.

This sounds like a bike race gang who stepped on some toes... nasty toes.

Or even a turff war over dawn patrol drag strip rights.

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

Where I live, in the deep south, it's the most popular time of day for starting a bicycle ride. Many people, mostly Thais, use this time for exercise as it is the coolest part of day. Even when I lived in Bangkok many people wanting outdoor exercise would begin at 5.30am.

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

The "speed devils", which is this newspaper's quaint and juvenile way of saying "illegal, irresponsible, potentially lethal morons."

I wonder if the men in black are related to similarly clad men with powerful rifles, or the mysterious men in black on big black motorcycles we occasionally see riding recklessly in and near Chiang Mai?

Whatever, I'm beginning to like them, suddenly.

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

They probably enjoy riding their bikes as the sun comes up. Sounds reasonable enough to me.

Still though, given the huge similarities between the 2 attacks and the 2 sets of victims, I would suggest this may be something "gang-related".

Worth nothing that none of the victims died or even (it appears) fell off their motorcycle. Clearly, the shooters knew where to shoot (safely?). I hesitate to make a guess but perhaps local police trying to send out a warning to these youngsters? These motorcyclists certainly have upted their rapture in the last 12 months or so and there's often too many for the police to do anything about.

^ Yes, the first thing that came to my mind was that this was a Police unit that is cracking down on the illegal racers. I wouldn't be surprised if someone important was recently killed or injured by some illegal motorcycle racers in this area.

Discussion of moderation has been removed. If you have an issue feel free to contact me directly but do not hijack threads.

I wonder if tomorrow morning early I will hear those noisy Motorcycle mufflers

or lack there of again ?

These 5am bikers do disturb the peace, such as it is.

Their revving up and racing away is probably a bit more of an intrusin than the usual Bkk. din at that time.

Perhaps the gunmen liked to sleep later. I do.

Edited July 11, 201114 yr by Beechboy

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

I do.. Its cool so nicer in leathers or armor.. The roads have the majority of fools gone.. Clear, good viz, nice temps..

Pre dawn into the morning light is good ride time. Start the day off with a buzz.

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

They were finishing off a long night of pleasure, or they were nuts, or they don't have a happy marriage , or they were out at that time as there would be no road blocks, or going shopping at quiet time at 7-11, or early start for a visa run. but agree with boater============who on earth is riding for pleasure at that time--my mother used to say-if you were out at that time you were up to no good

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

They were finishing off a long night of pleasure, or they were nuts, or they don't have a happy marriage , or they were out at that time as there would be no road blocks, or going shopping at quiet time at 7-11, or early start for a visa run. but agree with boater============who on earth is riding for pleasure at that time--my mother used to say-if you were out at that time you were up to no good

I like to take "road trips" around Thailand on my CBR, and 5:00-5:30 in the morning is a great time to start. As stated previously, little traffic, nice and cool in the protective suit, sun coming up is usually great. So, I would respectfully suggest that your mother was incorrect in her statements and observations.

:jap:

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

People who like to go very fast.

This sounds like a bike race gang who stepped on some toes... nasty toes.

Or even a turff war over dawn patrol drag strip rights.

Agree with you totally.

jb1

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

--my mother used to say-if you were out at that time you were up to no good

How many times did I hear that whilst growing up.

jb1

I live on this road and the police turn a blind eye to hundreds of motorcycle racers every Friday, Saturday and Sunday . Sometimes it is next to impossible to drive down this six lane highway after 2 am, with cars lining the side of the road to act as a makeshift grandstand and motorcycles driving at you in the wrong direction .. Bout time they cleaned it up

Attempted suicide

Ha ha ha - right on the money!

Cute when the color of the flip-flops determine gang-affiliation...hard to take them 'seriously'.

Edited July 11, 201114 yr by TAWP

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

They were finishing off a long night of pleasure, or they were nuts, or they don't have a happy marriage , or they were out at that time as there would be no road blocks, or going shopping at quiet time at 7-11, or early start for a visa run. but agree with boater============who on earth is riding for pleasure at that time--my mother used to say-if you were out at that time you were up to no good

Hmmm. Up at that time you are up to no good???? I like to get up at that time and get as much work done as possible before it gets hot. I also like getting up at that time just for the peace and quite when I have nothing to do. And if I have to run to town it is a good time no traffic. I find all these things pleasurable. I can't see were any of those things is up to no good.

<br />Hmmm.  Up at that time you are up to no good????  I like to get up at that time and get as much work done as possible before it gets hot.  I also like getting up at that time just for the peace and quite when I have nothing to do.  And if I have to run to town it is a good time no traffic.  I find all these things pleasurable.  I can't see were any of those things is up to no good.  <br />

Yes, I'm sure all the monks across the country are up to no good at that hour 8-)

Obviously people with late-rising habits find it hard to conceive of a disciplined and healthful lifestyle, following Ben Franklin's maxim "Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

If you live in an urban area there's less incentive, but rising while it's still fully dark and observing the dawn in a natural environment is one of life's peak experiences. My kids will beg me before they go to sleep to take them out with me to "watch the morning" - especially the two-year-old. I hope they will keep such habits their whole life. And for city people, Lumpini Park or any green area on the river would also be pretty nice. . .

I realize this is totally off-topic regarding these speed-devil "wairoons", they're more likely to not yet have been to bed at that hour. And I hope this is the result of likelihood that these gangs have gotten involved in more profitable organized crime activities than racing, and this is their competition warning them off - if the police are engaging in ex-judicial maimings because it's too difficult to enforce traffic laws the normal way I truly fear for the future of this country. . .

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

Dopers

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

Guess it depends on who your riding

By the time theyd said ' Borommaratchachonnanee Road' the villains were in the next Province.

Remind me never buy any Taywin sandals. Sounds like they really upset people.

Stick to flip flops when pleasuring your motorcycle.

" We were out riding our bikes for fun..." ( while making our next coke drop ) Here in Washington DC they call that " a turf war ".

who on earth goes out at 5.30 am for a ' Pleasure Ride '

They probably enjoy riding their bikes as the sun comes up. Sounds reasonable enough to me.

Still though, given the huge similarities between the 2 attacks and the 2 sets of victims, I would suggest this may be something "gang-related".

Maybe or most likely. Just have to wait and see if the BIB can actualy see the link that is staring them right in face and determine if they are related. Everyone else has seen the blatant obvious. Maybe this two piece jigsaw is to hard for the sherlock holmes of thailand.