Police Officer Fires Warning Shot Over Noisy Teenagers in Park

A police officer fired a shot into the air at Nong Ta Public Park in Udon Thani's Muang district on September 3 to warn teenagers making noise by the roadside, causing the group to panic and flee in their vehicles. A woman who was present that day filed a complaint with Muang Udon Thani Police, saying she had been doing laundry at a coin-operated machine and stopped by to visit acquaintances while waiting for her wash to finish. She was startled along with her 5-year-old son, who became so frightened by the gunshot that he accidentally got into the wrong car with his mother. She has confirmed she intends to pursue the matter fully. Today at Muang Udon Thani Police Station, the officer in question, accompanied by a lawyer, met with Deputy Investigation Officer Sarawisit Maepiear to give a statement and explain the circumstances of the incident, appearing visibly stressed. When reporters asked for comment, the officer declined to speak before meeting with the investigating officer and lawyer. This meeting is part of the ongoing fact-finding and witness statement collection process. Meanwhile, video footage shows that Nong Ta Public Park becomes a gathering place for rowdy teenagers at night, with loud car engines, engine revving, informal drinking circles, and loud noise causing widespread disturbance to residents. Locals are calling on authorities to conduct stricter nighttime patrols and prevent such noise disturbances, noting that the officer may have encountered genuinely disruptive youth behavior.