CHACHOENGSAO ฉะเชิงเทรา  - Police are hunting a teenager // who allegedly threw a grenade into Wat Ampawan // which killed four people and wounded five others  // in Sanamchai Khet district early Sunday.

The suspect has a long criminal history,  //  having been jailed 20 times, //  said Pol Lt Gen Jitti Rodbangyang, // chief of the Provincial Police Region 2.

Pol Capt Thanes Srisongkhram, // an investigator at Sanamchai Khet police station, // said the attack occurred about 1am  // inside the temple on Sanamchai Khet-Tha Takiap road in tambon Lat Krathing.

Saneh Thamkham, 50, // an assistant village chief, // told police that // the temple was holding a fair // to celebrate a newly-built chapel.

On Saturday night, the fair, // which featured local folk dances, // attracted two groups of youths who // as the evening progressed  // had an altercation.

One group comprised about 10 teens // who live in the district, // and the other about four teenagers  // from Tha Takiab district.

Pol Lt Gen Jitti, who led an inspection of the scene, said // an initial investigation confirmed  // the attack was motivated by // a feud between two groups of teenagers.

Police said // a fight started after the teens // teased the Tha Takiab group // about how its members // should have their urine tested for drug abuse.

At about 1am // the Tha Takiab group became enraged, //  with one of its members taking out an M26 grenade // and hurling it at the rival group.

However, the grenade missed the target by about 10 metres // and landed near a table of other revellers // and exploded, killing four youths.

Three died on the spot // and the other was pronounced dead // at Sanamchai Khet Hospital. // Five other people were wounded, // four of them seriously.

Pol Lt Gen Jitti said // police have the names of the grenade thrower  // and other suspects in the gang. //  Investigators have asked the court //  to approve warrants for their arrest.

The commissioner said // checks found  // the grenade thrower had been jailed // on charges connected to drug use and possession of firearms and explosives // in Samut Prakan.

The suspect was recently charged // with drug abuse and released on bail.