Target practice

PATTAYA: Though few people may know this, it’s actually against Thai law for three people to ride on the same motorbike. Three young men on a drinking spree in Pattaya learned the hard way that even if the police tend not to enforce the law rigorously, there are other perfectly good reasons not to pile so many on a single bike – especially if you have enemies. The trio, identified as Arthit Laihrin, 20, Chainart Petcharat, 17, and Pichetsak Wongwai, 20, had been drinking at a local resort when they decided to hit the road and go shopping for supplies at a nearby store. They were riding three-on-a- bike when they crossed paths with 15 members of a rival gang, who fell in behind them. Unable to resist such a tempting target, one of the pursuers fired a single shot that somehow managed to drill through all three men. Arthit was seriously injured and his two friends sustained lesser injuries. All three were taken to Banglamung Hospital for treatment. At last report, police were still searching for their assailants.