”The information that is published in the news is all incorrect,” Mr Weerawit said in a Facebook post online, marked as “วีรวิชญ์ เครือสมบัติ is feeling tired with Prab Keesin and 42 others”.
See The Phuket News’ initial report: ’Shooting on Bangla’
“Please inform all business operators.. Last night there was a shooting incident in Soi Lao. The perpetrator was not an employee who worked in Soi Bangla, but was a former tout for guests that the officials had organised to remove long ago,” he said.
“And the shooting was not in the area. He went away for a long time, but came back with a revolver and met with an old rival.
“The shooting incident was in Soi Lao, which was not on Bangla Road, and all the stray bullets hit employees at Pink Paradise. There were five injuries. All are safe now,” Mr Weearawit added.
“At the same time, due to various measures that the officials had put in place to accommodate the extension of time allowed [for 4am closing] the officials to promptly arrest the perpetrator,” Mr Weerawit said.
“Therefore, I would like to inform everyone and every shop owner to speak in the same way because some people may not know the real information and say that it happened in Soi Bangla. The news going out now will cause damage to our Bangla. Thank you,” Mr Weerawit said in concluding his post.
Of note, Soi Lao is a small sidestreet directly connecting with Bangla Rd, and is located nearly directly opposite the popular Soi Sea Dragon.