Post date: Jan 02, 2013 8:40:52 PM
Thai police have arrested a 26-year-old Thai man in connection with the killing of British tourist Stephen David Aston in a bar during a New Year party in Thailand.
KOH PHA-NGAN, THAILAND (JANUARY 2, 2013) (REUTERS) - A Thai national has been arrested in connection with the killing Stephen David Ashton, a British tourist in Koh Phangan, Thailand, during a New Year party, Thai policesaid on Wednesday (January 2).
Twenty two year-old Stephen David Ashton was shot dead by a stray bullet during a local gang fight in Koh Phangan Surat Thani province, a popular tourist destination insouthern Thailand.Thai police arrested 26 year-old Eakapan Kaewkla, on Tuesday (January 1). They said the suspect had shot a homemade gun into a bar early on Tuesday.
Ekapan was reported to have said he was aiming the weapon at a specific person, but accidentally hit Ashton as he was dancing in the bar on on Haad Rin Beach at about 0400 local time.
Aston was dead on arrival at hospital.
The owner of tapas bar Las Fuentes, in Purley, southern England, where Aston and his friends would frequent regularly, said the group were cheerful and well behaved clients.
"They were fantastic, very happy, you know, a very good looking guy also, but a nice group, they were not trouble makers or whatever," Gio said.
Gio said he did not think Aston was the type of person who would seek out trouble.
"Yes, they went - you know, youngsters - they go to places which are exciting and I think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I don't think they were looking for trouble, or whatever. When they come here they behave, have a little drink, they were happy. Absolutely no problem," said Gio.
Koh Phangan, situated north of tourist haven Ko Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, is a popular destination for backpackers and students on gap years.
One of its attractions is its monthly full moon party at Haad Rin Beach, and many people know it as the setting for Alex Garland's novel The Beach, which was made into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.