Officer Kicks Fallen Drug Suspect During Khon Kaen Arrest

On October 28, a Facebook user posted a clip of officers apprehending a man in a drug case, raising concerns about the appropriateness of force, particularly when the suspect had already fallen to the ground but appeared to be kicked or stomped on during the arrest. The incident occurred at Ban Kok Sung, Moo 10, Non Udom subdistrict, Chum Phae district, Khon Kaen province on the morning of October 27. The man in the clip is 24-year-old Phuwanat, nicknamed "Toe." His 39-year-old aunt, Chonthicha, who was abroad at the time, said she reviewed CCTV footage after learning of the incident and felt the arrest may have been excessive. She acknowledged her nephew had prior drug involvement and that 55 methamphetamine pills were found this time, but she wants superiors to review whether the force used was appropriate and to improve arrest tactics.

Deputy District Chief for Security Somkid Chamnikul revealed that on the day of the incident, six Chum Phae district security officers were on duty in Non Udom when they encountered "Toe," whom they knew from previous encounters. Upon seeing the officers, he fled and appeared to throw an object. Officers chased him; he attempted to climb a wall to escape and threw drugs away before running back and losing his balance, falling. An officer then used a foot to kick him once to stop him from fleeing further. Somkid admitted the footage looks quite forceful and he is unsure if the kick struck the neck or face before other officers rushed in to restrain him. A search found a small bag with about 55 meth pills and drug paraphernalia in his room; the suspect admitted to drug use.

Somkid stated that after the incident the suspect was conscious, able to speak and answer questions. Officers asked about his condition, informed him of his rights, and handed him over for legal proceedings. Regarding criticism of the force used, Somkid said initially the suspect, his grandfather and grandmother did not object; everyone understood the officers' duties. The officer involved confirmed there was no intent to harm, only a single moment of force to stop the escape, with no repeated violence.

Somkid acknowledged the circulated footage may look violent and upset relatives, so he sent the officer with the village headman to apologize to the family. As for Chonthicha abroad, they will contact her to explain the facts and sequence of events so she understands the officers' actions. Somkid has reported the facts to the district chief and prepared a written report for any further review by superiors.