Police were continuing attempts to calm down a police inspector who fired shots into the sky at a housing estate in Sai Mai district of Bangkok late on Tuesday morning.

Shots were heard at a house in Sai Mai district around 11am. A very agitated man aged 45-50 years was reported to have fired into the sky, alarming other residents.

Police went to the scene and negotiators began trying to calm the man down.

Police from Sai Mai station and a special task force were at the scene.

Neighbours told police the man had mental problems and was stressed.

He was reported to have thrown water and a computer through a window on the second floor of his house at 2.45pm.

As of 4.30pm, police were still talking to the man.

According to media reports, the man had fired more shots - at least 10 in total.

An ambulance was on standby.

Matichon and Khao Sod reported that the shooter was Pol Lt Col Kittikarn Saengbun, 51, an inspector attached to Special Branch Bureau’s Intelligence Development Centre.