Assistant Police Chief Awards Top Cop to Thong Lor Officers
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Assistant National Police Chief Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong Phiwan presented TOP COP awards to two crime suppression officers from Thong Lor Police Station, praising their effective performance in arresting a suspect and seizing a firearm during a checkpoint operation. The recipients were Pol. Sgt. Maj. Thirapat Saengcha and Pol. Sgt. Maj. Worapong Siwang, crime suppression supervisors at Thong Lor Station. Attending the ceremony were Pol. Maj. Gen. Nitiwat Saensang, Commander of Metropolitan Police Division 5; Pol. Col. Ratthathan Ekthitikulpatt, Superintendent of Thong Lor Station; Pol. Lt. Col. Natthakit Chokkhoksueng, Deputy Superintendent; and Mr. Phakin Laokamnoed, Chairman of the Thong Lor Police Civilian Advisory Committee.
On October 4, 2026, at approximately 04:20, Thong Lor police officers were manning a checkpoint in Soi Thong Lor, Khlong Tan Nuea Subdistrict, Watthana District, Bangkok. They spotted a suspect driving a luxury vehicle through the checkpoint, behaving suspiciously and refusing to stop when signaled. The suspect drove straight through, prompting the checkpoint commander to radio Pol. Sgt. Maj. Thirapat and Pol. Sgt. Maj. Worapong, who were stationed nearby, to pursue and stop the vehicle. When the car finally halted, the suspect displayed suspicious behavior, raising reasonable suspicion of illegal activity or possession of contraband. A search revealed a 9mm handgun with five rounds of ammunition hidden in a bag. The suspect did not possess a firearms license.
The suspect was charged with "possessing a firearm without permission from the registrar" and "carrying a firearm in a city, village, or public place without permission and without reasonable cause."
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong stated that the TOP COP awards recognize the crime suppression officers' full-capacity, effective performance to boost morale for continued rigorous duty. He also commended Thong Lor Station for its crime analysis and effective prevention planning.
Pol. Lt. Gen. Trairong emphasized that the operation aligns with the National Police Office's policy on standardized checkpoints, including spider checkpoints, to ensure systematic, standards-based policing. The goal is to prevent and suppress crime, intercept illegal acts, prioritize prevention before incidents occur, and ensure public safety, thereby fostering public confidence in the police.
