Police Officer Surrenders After Overnight Standoff Over Shooting
A police deputy investigation officer in Chonburi surrendered after an overnight standoff following the shooting of his wife, a kindergarten teacher, with his son convincing him to give himself up peacefully.
CHONBURI — A deputy investigation officer at Bang Lamung Police Station, Pol. Sub-Lt. Thatsaphong (known as "Pol. Lt. O"), surrendered to police at approximately 06:20 on 10 September after an overnight standoff following the shooting of his wife, a kindergarten teacher.
His son, Police Sgt. Rachata (known as "Folk"), rushed back from southern Thailand after learning of the incident and spent the night outside the house attempting to convince his father to surrender. Beginning around 05:00, Rachata spoke to his father by telephone and loudspeaker for over an hour, assuring him that authorities would not harm him and urging him to trust the legal process.
Rachata explained that he had parted from his father that morning before the shooting occurred, and immediately returned after learning what had happened instead of continuing to his southern posting. Though Thatsaphong initially answered his son's calls, he refused to leave the house until Rachata requested a face-to-face meeting.
Under police supervision, the two agreed to meet halfway between the house and a designated area. After approximately 30 minutes of conversation, negotiations succeeded and Thatsaphong walked out looking exhausted and was taken into custody without further incident or casualties.
At Bang Lamung Police Station, Thatsaphong was questioned and processing began. He was not armed when he surrendered and told police where he had left the firearm, which officers recovered as evidence. Bang Lamung police chief Pol. Col. Sarawut Nuchanart noted the suspect appeared exhausted and under considerable stress. Police confirmed the area around the officer's home returned to normal and was declared safe, as investigations proceeded according to legal procedures.
