Suspect Surrenders After Police Siege of Palm Oil Plantation
One suspect surrendered at a palm oil plantation in Phang Nga after police cornered a gang suspected of killing two Takua Pa officers on August 2. The gunman revealed the group of six had fled from mountains and opened fire believing arrest
Police have intensified their operation following the shooting death of two officers from Takua Pa Police Station, Phang Nga Province, on August 2. Authorities cordoned off a large palm oil plantation behind Prai Wan subdistrict, suspected to be the gunmen's refuge. As officers advanced toward the plantation's center and fired warning shots into the dense brush, suspects called out to surrender. One gunman emerged with hands raised and was taken into custody without incident.
During preliminary interrogation, the suspect revealed that the gang of approximately six had fled from Maw Dae mountains after coming under pressure from a three-province task force. He claimed they opened fire on Takua Pa police officers believing they were about to be arrested, resulting in two deaths and injuries. The suspect disclosed the full network of gang members, their criminal history involving economic sabotage and attacks on officials, and locations of hideouts. He also revealed that the weapons used in their network have been linked to multiple unrest incidents in Phang Nga Province.
Authorities are continuing to sweep the palm oil plantation and surrounding areas to determine whether additional suspects remain in hiding. Police Deputy Commander Samran Nuanmaa is preparing to brief media on the operation's results and further investigation plans once the area is fully secured.
