PATTAYA, Thailand – A police officer attached to Bang Lamung Police Station has been detained after allegedly firing multiple 9mm rounds inside a room in South Pattaya on 19 September. No injuries or deaths were reported after the shooting at accommodation in Soi Yensabai, off Pattaya Third Road.

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Police said the officer was taken into custody along with his firearm, and four women aged about 18 to 25 who were in the room were also taken for questioning. Pol Lt Col Sontaya Khonsap, deputy inspector at Pattaya City Police Station, led officers to the scene after reports that a gun had been fired inside a room. Police kept bystanders away because the alleged gunman was armed, and officers later entered the third-floor room and found numerous bullet marks in its walls and ceiling.

The room manager told police that the four women had sought help, saying the officer appeared heavily intoxicated, was shaking continuously, shouting and threatening to damage property in the room. When the manager and others went upstairs to calm the situation, the officer allegedly ran to a gun stored beneath a pillow and fired all eight rounds in the magazine, prompting those present to flee the room and alert police.

The women told investigators that the officer was the boyfriend of one of their friends, saying he returned to the room in an extremely intoxicated state and allegedly tried to molest them. They said they left the room out of fear and asked the accommodation manager for help, and when people entered the room, the officer retrieved his gun and fired several shots. All four women also reportedly told police that drugs had been used in the room, admitting to taking narcotics.

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The officer claimed he fired in self-defence because he believed people entering the room intended to attack him. Pol Lt Col Sontaya reported the case to Pattaya City Police chief Pol Col Anek Sarathongyu, and investigators and forensic officers were sent to examine the room and the officer’s firearm. All five people underwent urine tests for drugs, with the four women already admitting drug use while the officer’s test result remains pending. Police said that if the officer is found to have drugs in his system, he will face disciplinary and legal action without exception.

-Thailand News (TN)