Ekkapan Kaewkla charged with premeditated murder and illegal possession of a weapon over death of Briton at new year party
A man accused of shooting dead a British tourist at a New Year's Eve party in Thailand has appeared in court.
Stephen Ashton, 22, was caught in the crossfire of a gun fight between two groups of locals at a crowded beach bar on the island of Koh Phangan. His family said they were "completely devastated" by his death.
Ekkapan Kaewkla, 26, has been initially charged with premeditated murder and illegal possession of a weapon, according to the Bangkok Post, which said he confessed to the crime in a police interrogation. Police had earlier suggested he would likely be charged with manslaughter.
Kaewkla was transferred to the larger neighbouring island of Koh Samui, where there is a court, and has been remanded in custody, according to the BBC.
He was expected to spend the day in detention while the police prepared the charges against him. He can be detained for up to 84 days. Kaewkla was arrested on Tuesday while hiding in a makeshift hut on a mountain near the beach, police said.
The British ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, is expected to visit the crime scene on Thursday. Footage emerged on Wednesday of Kaewkla and Thai police carrying out a reconstruction of events.
Ashton, a former City trader from Purley, south London, was with a group of friends and 300 other tourists at the 2013 countdown party at the Zoom Bar on Haad Rin beach when he was shot by a homemade gun early on Tuesday, police said.
An argument had broken out between two groups of locals, and as one of the men walked away from the bar he pulled out a gun and fired into the crowd, hitting Ashton in the chest, witnesses told police investigators. Ashton was taken to Bandon International hospital but could not be revived.
Ashton's family said he had been enjoying a holiday with friends after a difficult period following the loss of his father, who died in 2011 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
In a statement, they said: "As a family we are completely devastated by the loss of Stephen from our lives. He has been taken away from us in such cruel and tragic circumstances … He will be truly missed by his family but also by the many friends he made during his life.
They added: "We were all so proud of him; he was a much loved son, brother, grandson and nephew … We cannot comprehend how someone can carry out such a reckless act, giving such little value to human life."
Hundreds of thousands of tourists from around the world flock to Koh Phangan for its famous "full moon" parties.
The island's growing popularity has led to increased wealth but also growing security fears. The Foreign Office says seven British nationals have been murdered in Thailand since January 2009, and it highlights Koh Phangan as a potential flashpoint.
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Guardian