NAKHON PHANOM, Thailand – A village headman in Nakhon Phanom province has died after being struck by a bullet fired by a volunteer security officer during an attempt to restrain a man armed with a knife. Wasana Srikason, 52, headman of Moo 8 in Phon Thong subdistrict, Ban Phaeng district, was shot in the chest while assisting police from Ban Phaeng station on Saturday, and he was taken to Ban Phaeng Hospital but died of his injuries on 12 September.

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Police, local officials and volunteers had been trying to control Kittisak Kaewmuentrong, 33, who was said to be in a drug-induced frenzy and threatening residents and officers with a knife, allegedly attempting to stab those trying to subdue him during the confrontation. Pawarit Saengthong, 47, a volunteer security officer from Ban Phaeng district, fired several rounds from a 9mm pistol in what was described as self-defence while attempting to stop the suspect, and one bullet hit Wasana in the chest. Kittisak was also shot, suffering an injury to his left upper arm, and he was taken to Ban Phaeng Hospital where he remains under official custody while receiving treatment, pending further investigation and legal proceedings.

Officials said reports of people in drug-fuelled states causing disturbances are received almost daily in Nakhon Phanom, and in response stricter measures have been introduced to monitor, control and respond to such cases in an effort to prevent further incidents.

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The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, with authorities charging the volunteer with negligence. The wife of the headman said she holds no grudge, believing there was no intent, while the mother of the drug-crazed man was so ashamed she said she wanted to crawl into a hole and hide.

-Thailand News (TN)