Nakhon Pathom Police Arrest Gunman After Shootout, Seize Drugs
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Nakhon Pathom police surrounded and hunted a gunman who fired at officers during a raid near a barbershop in Phutthamonthon district. The suspect fled but was later captured at a hideout near a shrimp pond. A search of his home yielded two shotguns, crystal methamphetamine, and methamphetamine pills.
On October 27, 2026, plainclothes officers on motorcycles went for haircuts in Moo 1, Klong Maha Sawat, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom. While heading to the restroom, they smelled what appeared to be drug smoke near the bathroom and called for backup to investigate.
When the investigative team opened the door, they found a man sitting inside. He immediately fired one shot at the police before both sides scattered and fled.
Later, Pol. Col. Phitak Upphong, Nakhon Pathom Provincial Police Commander, along with Pol. Lt. Col. Kritsana Wongkla-han, Deputy Commander, Pol. Lt. Col. Porchai Ariyanan, Phutthamonthol Police Station Chief, and related officers searched the house of 55-year-old Kaiwich, the suspect. The search uncovered two shotguns, two packets of crystal meth (ice), and five methamphetamine pills (yaba). The evidence was seized for legal proceedings.
Police then set up an operations center at the scene, alerted village heads and residents to watch for the suspect, and deployed thermal drones to locate him.
At 02:30 a.m., police found the suspect hiding in a shelter near a shrimp pond in Moo 1, Klong Yong, Phutthamonthon. He was taken in for questioning. The suspect admitted fleeing after shooting at police and hiding until stress over the case led him to use drugs daily until his arrest. He claimed he did not intend to shoot the officer but fired only to clear an escape path.
Initially, police charged him with attempted murder of an official, resisting arrest, carrying a firearm in a village or public place without reasonable cause or license, discharging a firearm in a village or public place, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and illegal use of a Category 1 narcotic (methamphetamine).