Debt collectors killed one man and injured three people

The 20-strong gang sealed off the alley of Pibunsongkhram 11 in Muang Nonthaburi district in the early-morning operation before conducting their indiscriminate stabbing and firing spree, police said.

At 4am yesterday, the police received a report that teenagers were fighting in the area, resulting in one death and many casualties.

 Responding police found the body of Kriengsak Lamphasi, 21, with a gunshot to his left arm and some 10 stab wounds on his body. A bloodstained cooking knife was found near his body, said Pol Lieutenant Suchat Jittasinnawa of Muang Nonthaburi police station.

Police also found a pickup truck and four motorcycles, which were all damaged. Three people, Surasit Yaemthab, 18, Anuchit Chanchai, 50, and Sompob Sornprasert, 41, also sustained stab wounds and were taken to Phra Nangklao Hospital. Anuchit was rushed to the ICU.

Police investigation showed that Kriengsak had been drinking with friends, including 21-year-old Anucha Hoonklad, before the incident. Anucha later went to the entrance of the soi to buy something. But hours later, Anucha was seen running back to the group and yelling for help.

It turned out that Anucha was being chased by 20 men armed with clubs, knives and guns. The gang then attacked Anucha's drinking companions and even bystanders who came out of their homes due to the commotion. Residents also reported that the gang chased any of the drinker who tried to hide in any house, thus also damaging that house's properties.

Kreingsak tried to run away but

 was knifed to death.

Before leaving, the gangsters reportedly announced that they were members of a debt-collecting gang of the Pibun Garden Housing Estate. They fled on board two red-licence-plate pick-up trucks and several motorcycles.

Witnesses described the gang leader who led the attack as a big young man wearing a big gold necklace.

Nonthaburi deputy police chief Colonel Nopparat Rinthapol has ordered a manhunt for the debt-collecting gang members.