BANGKOK – A 26-year-old man claiming to be part of a special forces unit was arrested on Thursday after he seized a firearm from a police officer and opened fire, injuring two officers in Bangkok’s Din Daeng district.
The incident unfolded around 11 a.m. in the garden area of a condominium on Ratchada Soi 16. Officers from Sutthisan police station had arrived following reports of a man acting erratically inside the building.
When police confronted the suspect, later identified as Jirasak, he told officers he belonged to a special operations unit. Officers noticed he appeared to be under the influence and attempted to persuade him to accompany them to the station.
Amid the discussion, Jirasak suddenly grabbed a firearm from one of the officers. In the ensuing chaos, two shots were fired. One bullet struck the bulletproof vest of Pol Cpl Woradon Thirathanaboon, while the second hit Pol Cp Jirayut Racha-ard in the upper left arm. Both officers were promptly taken to Police General Hospital for medical care.
Police quickly subdued Jirasak and transported him to Sutthisan police station for questioning. Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the attack.
Seven Officers Face Charges Over Assault at Checkpoint
In a separate development, seven traffic police officers have been charged over the assault of a former police officer’s son at a drink-driving checkpoint in December last year.
The charges, brought by public prosecutors and the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), stem from an incident on December 4, 2023, on Prasert Manukit Road. Officers allegedly mistook the victim’s vehicle for another that had fled a checkpoint and physically assaulted Thananop Koedsri, son of former Pol Lt Col Thanachai Koedsri.
The officers now face charges under the Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act, as well as accusations of failing to perform their duties under Section 157 of the Criminal Code, breaching Section 172 of the Organic Act on Anti-Corruption, and other related offences.
DSI official Angsuket Visuthvattanasak confirmed the officers were not detained, as they responded to their summons and posed no flight risk. The accused have been given 15 days to submit their statements.
The seven officers charged include Pol Capt Taweepong Audthum, Pol Sgt Weerapong Manee, Pol Sgt Paponthee Lertanan, Pol Sgt Keerati Prasopchok, Pol Sgt Watcharawee Thaweeburut, Pol Sgt Jakkarin Kraikruan, and Pol Cpl Natthapong Dutsadee.
All seven officers have been suspended from duty pending the outcome of the investigation. The DSI plans to conclude its inquiry and transfer the case to public prosecutors handling corruption matters by next month. The case is expected to proceed to the Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.
These two incidents have drawn public attention to concerns over police conduct and safety, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in Bangkok.
