Police were continuing attempts to calm down an agitated police inspector with the Special Branch 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 Mankhong housing estate 1 on Soi Jeeramakorn 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 from Sai Mai station and the Arintharat special task force were at the scene. Negotiators began trying to calm the man down.
Neighbours told police the man had mental problems and was stressed out. He worked at the Special Branch Bureau, holding the position of inspector.
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.
According to media reports, the man had fired more shots - at least 10 in total.
He was reported to have thrown water and a computer through a window on the second floor of his house at 2.45pm.
The MPB commissioner said police would try to end the incident as best they could and would not let it drag on.
Workpoint TV reported that Pol Lt Gen Thiti led deputy MPB chief Pol Maj Gen Noppasin Phoolsawat and Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, commander of the MPB’s investigation division, to the site at 4.05pm.
As of 4.30pm, police were still talking to the man.
Pol Lt Gen Thiti Saengsawang, chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, was going there, according to an MPB post on Facebook at 3.25pm. The MPB commissioner said police would try to end the incident as best they could and would not let it drag on.
Workpoint TV reported that Pol Lt Gen Thiti led deputy MPB chief Pol Maj Gen Noppasin Phoolsawat and Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thamsuthee, commander of the MPB’s investigation division, to the site at 4.05pm.
An ambulance was on stand-by.
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.
The Metropolitan Electricity Authority had cut off power to the man's house, Workpoint reported on Facebook. The man was reported to be pacing back and forth through the house.
Police were planning to take him into custody.