BANGKOK — A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a shooting that followed a youth altercation in the Bang Sue district of Bangkok. The suspect, Anon “Joy” Chiamchan, was taken into custody at 12:30 p.m. yesterday and now faces three criminal charges, authorities confirmed.
The arrest was led by Lieutenant General Siam Boonsom of the Metropolitan Police Bureau and took place at an investigation unit’s office on Bangkok-Nonthaburi Road. Police reportedly recovered from Anon a .45 calibre Remington Rand 1911A1 semi-automatic handgun, one live bullet, a magazine, a brown leather holster, and the clothing he wore during the incident — a white T-shirt and blue-and-white shorts.
The incident occurred in the early hours of May 31, around 1:00 a.m., near Wat Pradu on Pracharat Sai 1 Road. A group of youths became involved in a street brawl, during which three to four gunshots were fired. The altercation was captured on CCTV and posted by community safety watchdogs on social media.
Police investigations led them to identify Anon as the shooter. When summoned, Anon reportedly cooperated, bringing the firearm and ammunition with him to the station. He told investigators that he had acted out of self-defense, claiming that a youth known only as “Deaw” had threatened him and his brother with a gun.
According to his statement, Anon returned home to retrieve his own weapon and then fired three shots into the air, prompting Deaw to flee on a motorcycle.
Based on witness accounts and evidence, police have charged Anon with:
- Illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition
- Carrying a firearm in public without a permit
- Unlawfully discharging a firearm in a public area
Anon has been informed of his rights and is currently in police custody as the legal process unfolds.
Authorities have stated that the clash stemmed from a personal dispute between youth groups and found no evidence of links to loan sharking or debt conflicts. The case remains under investigation.
