Officer's Relative Reveals Post-Incident Call Still Answered
A Bang Lamung police deputy shot his wife, a school teacher, at a kindergarten in Chachoengsao Province; his family revealed he answered calls normally hours before the incident but laughed and hung up when urged to surrender.
A relative of Taspong Tongthat, or "Khwad O", Deputy Superintendent of Bang Lamung Police Station, has revealed that Khwad O answered a phone call after the fatal shooting of his wife, a school teacher, inside a municipal kindergarten in Nong Pla Lai Subdistrict, Bang Lamung District, Chachoengsao Province. After the incident, Khwad O returned to his residence and was surrounded by police who negotiated his surrender for several hours. Early yesterday morning, his son succeeded in persuading him to leave the house voluntarily, and he was subsequently taken into custody for investigation.
According to Somsak, 72, a relative of Khwad O, he and his family immediately traveled from Chaiyaphum Province upon learning of the incident. At approximately 8:00 AM yesterday, his wife called Khwad O to ask about obtaining a driver's license, and he appeared normal with no unusual behavior. After the incident came to light, the relative phoned Khwad O again to console and persuade him to surrender, reminding him to think of his son's future and to address any problems gradually. However, Khwad O did not respond—he only laughed and then hung up the phone.
Khwad O's young police officer son managed to persuade his father overnight, ultimately convincing him to allow officers to take him into custody for prosecution. The relative expressed belief that although Khwad O and his wife appeared to love each other and had been married for many years, there must have been something troubling him that was unknown to the family. The relative stated they were uncertain about underlying family issues, as Khwad O had never sought advice about personal problems and the couple seemed to have a good relationship. Regarding Khwad O's medical condition, the relative was unsure whether he had taken his medication, as he has a chronic illness that causes seizures if left untreated. Ultimately, the relative believes that whatever prompted this act must have been weighing heavily on Khwad O's mind.
