PATTAYA — A 27-year-old South Korean man has been arrested after allegedly holding his Thai ex-girlfriend hostage with a loaded firearm inside her nail salon in Pattaya. The dramatic rescue took place late Sunday, June 16, following a tense police operation.
The suspect, identified as Mr. Dongwug Kim, reportedly locked his former partner inside a room at her salon on Pattaya Central Road and threatened her with what police later confirmed to be a Sig Sauer P320 handgun. The woman, known only as Ms. Ann, 28, was found bruised, exhausted, and visibly shaken after nearly 24 hours in captivity.
Armed and Dangerous
According to police, the situation began the previous evening when Mr. Kim arrived at Ms. Ann’s salon. Angry over her new relationship with a Chinese national, Kim allegedly confiscated her phone and held her against her will. He is believed to have acquired the firearm illegally, though the source remains under investigation.
Officers, led by Colonel Anek Sarathongyoo, surrounded the salon after receiving a distress alert. However, before they could apprehend the suspect, Kim escaped by climbing from a second-floor balcony, evading immediate capture while armed. Officers issued a warning to local residents to stay indoors for safety.
A Text That Saved Her Life
Despite being under duress, Ms. Ann managed to calm Kim enough to regain access to her phone. Around 3:00 PM, she texted a friend, discreetly asking for help. That message reached authorities and launched the rescue operation.
By 11:00 PM, police apprehended Kim approximately 500 meters from the salon, ending the manhunt. A search of the building revealed the loaded 9mm handgun used to intimidate the victim, with a full 15-round magazine.
Motive and Charges
Initial investigations point to jealousy as the primary motive. Kim was reportedly distraught after Ms. Ann ended their relationship and began dating someone new. His attempts to reconcile were unsuccessful, escalating into violence.
Ms. Ann told police that Kim had become increasingly possessive and aggressive in the days leading up to the incident. During her captivity, she was subjected to threats, psychological distress, and physical assault.
Kim is currently in police custody, facing multiple charges including unlawful detention, physical assault, illegal possession of a firearm, and attempted intimidation. The firearm has been seized for forensic analysis, and police are working to determine whether it was smuggled or obtained through local black market sources.
Authorities have not ruled out the involvement of others and have vowed to pursue full legal action. Ms. Ann is receiving medical treatment and trauma counseling.
This incident highlights growing concerns over domestic violence, foreign criminal activity, and the ease of obtaining firearms in Thailand’s tourist-heavy cities.
The case remains under investigation.
