A road rage thug shot dead a 19-year-old student just five months after he was released from prison, police said.

Security guard Niwat Tuyla, 32, admitted losing his temper when a pickup truck driver 'revved the engine at him' outside a restaurant where he was working in Buriram province, Thailand, on March 15.

He told police he fired a 38-calibre pistol at the back of the vehicle then chased the driver before punching him through the lowered window. The driver tried to escape but Niwat chased the vehicle a second time and fired a gun from behind.

The bullet hit the driver's young girlfriend, student Krittiya Krachabklang, 19, on the forehead and she died instantly while the security guard fled the scene.

He was later arrested and confessed to killing the teenager before being taken on a crime reconstruction wearing a motorcycle helmet and police vest.

Lieutenant Colonel Yuttana Traithip said: 'Niwat had just been released from prison about five months ago due to a drugs case. He applied for a job at the restaurant. He will be held in custody during the investigation.'

The policeman said student Krittiya was with her partner, the pickup truck driver, when they ate at a chicken restaurant where the security guard was working his shift.

He said: 'The couple earlier visited a local festival then visited the restaurant where Niwat was working.'

Police arrested Niwat at his home and he was charged with intentionally killing and carrying a firearm.

Niwat admitted to police about shooting the vehicle and said that the pickup truck driver revved the engine at him and tried to push his and his friend’s motorcycle.

He said: 'I chased him to ask his intention. After I punched him, he drove away so I chased him again. This time I used a gun and shot at the pickup one time.

'I did not know that the bullet would hit anybody. I was so scared I hid the gun at my friend’s place.'

The student's devastated mother Kwanchit Chaisree, 54, said: 'I can't believe anybody could be so cruel to the point of killing a woman. She was young and had a future. I will never forgive the shooter.'

The young woman's body was taken for an autopsy before she was returned to her family for funeral arrangements. The gunman has been remanded in custody during investigations.

Lieutenant Colonel Traithip added: 'The suspect has admitted shooting the student. He says he did not intend to kill her but we will prosecute him on the basis that by shooting the gun he was trying to kill the people in the vehicle.'