Police believe that doubt cast over Dr. Wanchai Danaitamonut’s PhD qualification was a possible motive for him allegedly shooting two of his colleagues at Phranakhon Rajabhat University in Bang Khen yesterday.
Dr. Pichai Chaisongkram, 56, and Dr. Natthapol Chumworathayee, 54, were shot dead by Wanchai, 60, yesterday morning in a classroom on the fifth floor of the Bhuddawitchalaya Building, a learning a cultural center.
Both gunshot wounds were to the their heads and occurred while another student was defending his thesis, according to the Bangkok Post.
Pichai was reportedly in the classroom because he was in charge of analysing the student’s thesis while Natthapol was there as the student’s adviser when Wanchai allegedly burst into the room and killed them.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Wanchai.
Acting metropolitan police commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Sanit Mahathavorn said police have discovered that Wanchai allegedly sent messages to close friends and relatives of Pichai on the Line application prior the shooting, saying he would part them forever.
The message also suggested he might kill himself.
Sanit said the conflict between Wanchai and Pichai was likely related to Pichai reportedly questioning the suspected gunman’s PhD qualification, forcing the university to remove him as head of a new course.
Natthapol, it’s believed, was attempting to break up the fight, Thai PBS reported.
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