Two Die At Thai 'full Moon' Party

[george]

Two die at 'full moon' party

BANGKOK: -- Two Thai youths were shot dead and another was seriously injured at the notorious "full moon" beach party on the southern island of Koh Pha-ngan.

Local police said the shootings occurred when two groups of revellers at Sunday's giant rave clashed in an argument over the girlfriend of one of the victims, Suparat Thongprong.

After she rejected the advances of a member of the rival group, the couple walked away from the beach but were accosted by a group of young men. The couple then called for their friends, who joined the melee.

Argument

Police lieutenant Theerapol Kanha said that during the argument that ensued, one of the men pulled out a pistol and shot two of Suparat's friends, injuring both, and then shot and killed Suparat, who died on the scene.

The two friends were transported to hospital on the mainland. One of them died on the way. Police were not able to provide the names of the other victims.

"We are questioning witnesses but the investigation is difficult because both groups were tourists and no one had seen them before," said Theerapol, adding that no arrests had been made.

He said the "full moon" party was more crowded than usual because many Thais travelled to Koh Pha-ngan during their summer holiday.

The full-moon parties are a magnet for backpackers and young Thais alike, but although the events are plagued by illegal drugs and accidental drownings, there have been few previous reports of violence.

--News24, 2004-04-06

[jayrockwell]

Just been waching groups of Thais running around shooting at each other on Thai TV (fiction), plenty of violence, there's loads of it every night, a great role model.

However somebody smoking a cigarette needs to be blurred out.

J